Control Those Weeds

I attended the U of I Corn-Soybean Classic.  The classic is a road show that has been around for many years and gives a good overview of what is going on in Illinois with our major crops.

Aaron Hager's presentation may have the most widespread applicability of any of them.  Weed resistance to herbicides and how to manage it was a big part of the discussion.  His observations and recommendations are:

• Selection for resistance occurs with every application of every herbicide.
• Use a pre-plant burndown and pre-plant residual
• Scout 14 days after planting to make sure you catch weeds small.
• Scout 7 to 10 days after the application of post plant materials to make sure your herbicide worked.
• Tank mixes used, not herbicide rotation is a key to clean crops.
• Those using three herbicide modes of action stand a better chance of clean fields
• Plan on three herbicide applications

Hager also pointed out that a Weed Control Guide for Illinois is available for the first time in many years.