Corn Is Out of The Ground and Scouting Is In the Air.
May 26, 2026
Corn is already coming out of the ground, which means that now is the time to begin scouting for a post-emergence herbicide application.
“It may seem early to begin scouting for weeds, but effective control starts by managing small weeds,” said Federated agronomy sales rep Chris Schmidt. “Herbicides have much higher efficacy on weeds that are shorter than four inches, so the window of application can close very quickly!”
With adequate heat and moisture, corn grows extremely fast through the V2-V8 stages. This is a critical time when weed pressure competes with your crop for sunlight, nutrients, and water uptake. This competition negatively impacts your potential yield.
Scouting during this time is also essential because plants are growing rapidly, and applications for many herbicide products are limited to specific growth stages. Atrazine, for example, can only be applied to corn shorter than 12 inches in height, so applications need to be made early.
“Missing a window on a herbicide label can take one “tool' out of your toolbox,” Schmidt said. “This limits your tank mix and makes your weed control program more challenging. That’s why I recommend using a residual herbicide product post-emergence to help keep your fields clean and get your crop to canopy.”
Producing clean fields and keeping them that way begins with early observation of weed growth, field conditions, and weather forecasts, so you can make timely decisions on your post applications, therefore setting you up for a successful growing season.
If you have any questions about scouting or post-emerge application, contact your Federated Agronomist.
“It may seem early to begin scouting for weeds, but effective control starts by managing small weeds,” said Federated agronomy sales rep Chris Schmidt. “Herbicides have much higher efficacy on weeds that are shorter than four inches, so the window of application can close very quickly!”
With adequate heat and moisture, corn grows extremely fast through the V2-V8 stages. This is a critical time when weed pressure competes with your crop for sunlight, nutrients, and water uptake. This competition negatively impacts your potential yield.
Scouting during this time is also essential because plants are growing rapidly, and applications for many herbicide products are limited to specific growth stages. Atrazine, for example, can only be applied to corn shorter than 12 inches in height, so applications need to be made early.
“Missing a window on a herbicide label can take one “tool' out of your toolbox,” Schmidt said. “This limits your tank mix and makes your weed control program more challenging. That’s why I recommend using a residual herbicide product post-emergence to help keep your fields clean and get your crop to canopy.”
Producing clean fields and keeping them that way begins with early observation of weed growth, field conditions, and weather forecasts, so you can make timely decisions on your post applications, therefore setting you up for a successful growing season.
If you have any questions about scouting or post-emerge application, contact your Federated Agronomist.