Making Your Weed Management Game Plan

Farming is anything but predictable.

Although farmers are used to thinking on their feet, this season has been especially challenging. Weed management, however, is something farmers face year to year without fail.

Farmers know poor weed control can affect growing seasons for years to come. Kevin Bradley, weed scientist at the University of Missouri, reminds farmers some weeds can produce up to a million seeds. With that level of potential impact —and in a year that has been anything but easy —it is important to remember to address those weeds.

Bubba Simmons, Mississippi soybean farmer and soy checkoff farmer-director, emphasizes the 2019 planting season has been challenging. Staying on top of weed control is a priority as the season continues. Mississippi, like much of the United States, has experienced substantial flooding during the spring months.

“Any time there’s a flood, that creates challenges because it spreads the weed seed significantly,” Simmons explains. Typically planting happens by early April, but this year Simmons couldn’t get seeds into the ground until early June. The late planting significantly impacts the weed presence during the early stage of development for these soybeans.

“Weed pressure isn’t usually as strong when we plant in early April,” says Simmons. “Early June planting has made for warmer planting. That has increased the weed pressure and made a time crunch for getting herbicides applied.”

Farmers always adapt, and Simmons says he has had to be flexible with his weed strategy, especially this season. Simmons notes he’s had issues applying burndown chemicals and pre-emergents. However, even though he’s in a crunch for time, Simmons says he’s applying pre-emergents any time he plants. “What we’re doing this year will impact the 2020 season and years to come. It’s going to take a while to work this one out,” Simmons explains.

Bradley, who holds a doctorate in plant pathology, physiology and weed science, agrees —whatever you do this season will influence future seasons. He has five tips for keeping on top of weed management in 2019.

Have a Game Plan

Knowing which fields you’re going to plant and which you aren’t is important to your success in future seasons. Bradley notes even if you aren’t going to plant in a field this season, you still need to keep weed management in mind. The fewer seeds that reach germination, the better —especially varieties which produce up to a million seeds. If you manage those weeds, when you do decide to plant a field again, you won’t have quite as much recovery to do as you would if you had left it alone. Having a plan to what fields you’re going to plant and what your strategy is for each field is important to success in weed management.

Know Your Options

Bradley says herbicides and tilling are good for both fields planted with a crop and those that will lie fallow. He also discourages mowing, using it only as a last effort if you aren’t going to plant that field.

Use Your Herbicide

Knowing your herbicide’s abilities is as important as what trait you’re planting. Each herbicide has different applications, and Bradley has a few tips for keeping herbicide resistance and weeds under control.

• Follow what’s on your herbicide label.
• Identify which weeds you’re dealing with.
• Classify the stage your weeds are currently in.
• Avoid multiple applications the first time.

Know What You’re Up Against

Knowing which weeds to expect will make your pre-emergent application successful. With this especially wet season, Bradley encourages farmers to watch for waterhemp. Midwestern states already have historic issues with waterhemp, so those growers should be especially watchful. Bradley also notes farmers should be vigilant in scouting for unusual weeds. Due to the wetter spring season, weeds may be present that aren’t present in normal years.

Use Your History to Plan for the Future

Knowing what you’ve seen in your fields before is always a great place to start when thinking about weed management. A few things to keep in mind every year:

• Think about what pests and weeds you’ve seen before. Be on the lookout for those particular issues in those fields.
• Keep in mind which pesticides and herbicides you’ve used there before. Rotating modes and sites of action helps protect against resistance.
• Think about the season and compare it to others for reference. You may be able to predict which weeds, diseases and insect pests to watch for based on previous seasons.

It’s true that farming is anything but predictable. Keep this information handy, and you’ll be prepared to take this notably difficult season head-on.