EARLY POST-EMERGE HERBICIDES SHOULD BE . . . EARLY
May 10, 2021
While both pre- and post-emerge herbicide applications are best practice, corn fields without a pre-emerge application need an early post-emerge application soon. The earlier the better.
“Corn doesn’t like friends, much less weedy friends,” said Kevin Carlson, with a chuckle. As Federated’s agronomy sales manager, Carlson often sees how corn reacts to weeds. At as early as 2-3 leaves, corn can “sense” when weeds are taking up the moisture and light, when weed roots are getting in the corn’s way, and the result is lost yields. (See video.)
“Eliminating the friends – or the unfriendlies, the weeds – in the field becomes really important early in the season,” said Carlson. There’s about a 30-day window to get things cleaned up before yield potential is affected.
“This weed management tactic doesn’t cost you any money,” said Carlson. Pre- and early post-emerge herbicide applications give you the full benefit of the herbicides. Well-timed applications will “protect the total yield potential.”
“Why wait to do ‘revenge’ spraying?” he asked. “You may as well get the full benefit and the best ROI on your herbicide investment by spraying early.”
Yield loss translates into real money lost in today’s higher-priced commodity market. And of course, “the best time to get after weeds is when they are small,” he added.
Make your early post-emerge herbicide application plans now. Your Federated Agronomist can help.