In the weed science world, we spend a lot of time discussing soybean herbicide programs, but very little time talking about corn programs. Why is so little time spent on corn? One reason is the fact that we can use Group 27 or HPPD herbicides in corn to achieve effective weed control. HPPDs were approved in the late ‘90s, making them the most recently approved herbicide group to come to market. Therefore, there are fewer resistant weeds reported compared to many other herbicide groups. Today, Group 27 herbicides are the foundation to many successful corn herbicide program. However, in 2020, farmers in approved states/counties will have the option to use Alite™ 27 (isoxafl utole) for residual on tough-tocontrol small-seeded broadleaf weeds, such as pigweeds and marestail. Alite 27 has greater activity on smaller-seeded broadleaf weeds versus larger-seeded weeds like giant ragweed.

As you start to plan your post-herbicide application trip for your soybean crops, you may be looking for ways to maximize weed control. With the ever-growing list of resistant weeds, proper weed management techniques are more important than ever. Heavy spring rains may cause the pre-emergent herbicides to break down earlier in some fields this year. Therefore, another layer of in-season residual herbicide will be critical this year.

PFR Operator and Herbicide Specialist, Joe Bolte, discusses the over-reliance of Group 14 and 15 herbicides with Dr. Kevin Bradley in this latest PFR Report.

In agriculture, we are always looking for the next new tool or management practice that will allow us to become even more successful. When it comes to weed control, new opportunities are very limited even though new trait technologies are either on the market or pending approval. In the past few years, there has been a limited release of new herbicide active ingredients. It’s been almost two decades since a new mode of action has been released. With fewer herbicide modes of action and active ingredients available, weed control has become even more challenging than in past years. 

By this point in the season, farmers are looking to control weeds that have emerged following a break in residual activity. When making a weed control plan, there are several things to keep in mind. Check out the video below to learn more.