A bed of chickweed is a sure sign that the weeds have woken up, are actively growing and that planting is not far away.
About this episode Real Agriculture Soybean School, Host Bernard Tobin heads into the fields with BASF Canada agronomist Rob Miller to talk about spring weed control and what growers should look for when scouting their fields.
Miller says chickweed is already starting to bloom, which means weeds like Canada flea, dandelion and shepherd’s purse are waking up as well.
After Ontario’s record corn harvest in 2023, many of the soybean fields that will soon be planted across Ontario will resemble BASF’s plots in Maryhill, Ont. On research farms, heavy corn residue and record winter temperatures are a great combination for harsh winter annual weeds lurking among already grown and decaying field debris.
Miller said producers will need to be more aggressive in targeting these yield grabbers. Many growers “haven’t had the opportunity to do any type of fall tillage in these fields, whether it’s high-speed vertical discs or some type of chisel plow,” he notes. “That means we need to use more water and use multiple effective modes of action because coverage becomes difficult.” (Story continues after video.)
Mr. Miller emphasized the importance of early control of pests such as sow thistle, sow thistle, and dandelion, noting that there are few options for control after planting begins, especially for IP soybeans and dry kidney beans. He also added that growers need to manage expectations for early spraying as herbicides become less effective in April’s cooler weather.
In the video, Miller talks about pre-emergent weed control strategies and how they work with the crop canopy to provide effective control. He said residual herbicides typically provide protection for four to six weeks, and it’s important to apply them as close to planting as possible. “If you can time it and wait a little bit longer so that the crop is actually exposed and not sitting on the soil surface for two to three weeks, and then the crop can come out and the canopy closes, that’s really ideal. ” he says. .
But Miller says producers need to be realistic based on spring weather and demand on the ground. “Especially when dealing with these resistant weeds, waterhemp, and even things like lamb’s quarter and ragweed, it’s better to reduce the amount of residual herbicide applied to the soil. It’s better than not spraying at all. is not it.”
Miller also shares control strategies for other weeds he sees while walking in the field, including sow thistle, Canadian flea beetle, bluegrass and witlowgrass.
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