Producers who are able to start seeding early should do a burn-off operation ahead of the seeder.
“And it’s not just to ensure we sell more product,” said Randy Retzlaff of Syngenta.
“Research, and experience as recently as last year, says waiting to try to control weeds in the crop isn’t the choice of choice.”
He said weeds such as kochia and dandelion are already getting started where the weather has been warmest.
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“By the time (your crops are) staged for post emergent control on those weeds, they will be getting to that really tough size.”
Sean Dilk of Monsanto said last season wasn’t ideal for weed control.
Cold conditions early in the year left many fields without a pre-emergent weed control, which often resulted in high weed populations.
A late harvest and a winter that closed in quickly left few post harvest opportunities for controlling perennials and winter annuals.
“As a result, there is plenty to do this spring and you don’t want the weeds getting away.”
Retzlaff said the cold nights, short days and high winds of April leave weeds less vulnerable to chemical control.
“Consider higher rates of glyphosate and adding a second product to get the Roundup Ready canolas and/or Group 2 resistant weeds,” he said.
Express and Express Pro from DuPont and Heat from BASF are the likely additions to glyphosate for early season control in cold conditions.
Todd Nagy of BASF said those products add new chemistry groups to the burnoff and improve overall control of early season weeds.
University of Saskatchewan research has shown that applying an early-season burn-off application had the best overall yield outcomes.
Jon Gough of DuPont said low glyphosate prices this spring are encouraging some producers to consider using higher rates
“Cutting rates this year isn’t a good plan, especially if you are going early.”
Retzlaff said with more than 20 glyphosate brands to choose from, prices have never been lower.
“It’s the right year to get a good burn off if it does play out as an early year.”
Gough said if growers are able to wait a few weeks before seeding, more weeds will be available to kill and the chemistry will do a better job.
“If you are seeding, do the burnoff. If you can wait a few weeks, you might get the chance to protect some yield through better weed control,” he said.
Express Pro added four weeds to its label last week: cleavers, scentless chamomile, white cockle and night flowering catchfly.
Gough said scouting is critical when making spraying decisions.
“Often things are greener than you think. Get down and get a look.”
