BURNDOWN IN THE FALL, SET TO GO IN THE SPRING

Fall burndown applications make sense. There’s more time to apply burndown herbicides now than during the “push push” of spring, according to Ryan Peterson, Federated’s custom applicator manager at the Osceola location.

Autumn is a “good time to hit the biennials and perennials.” Dandelion, marestail, and white cockle, for example, are trying to take on nutrients for the winter, so any applied herbicide will be well absorbed by the weeds.

“People don’t think about [those weeds] in the fall. They aren’t flowering, so they don’t stick in your mind,” said Peterson, but fall is the best time to attack those yield and nutrient robbers.

Soybeans are already coming off the fields now. “We are ahead of 2019 by 25 to 30 days,” said Peterson, so there will be plenty of time for burndown applications yet this fall.

No-till fields regularly require burndown applications, as do hay fields that will be going to corn or soybeans in 2021. With fall burndown applications, “everything is very mellow in the spring,” said Peterson.

Schedule your custom applications soon, and if you are applying fall burndown herbicides yourself, said Peterson, “Always read and follow the label.” Your Federated Agronomist is ready to help with recommendations and scheduling.