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Make time for early season weed control

An extension educator warns farmers not to dismiss early season weed control if rushing to plant.

“That early season competition can really affect our yields at the end of the season.”

Christy Sprague with Michigan State University says the longer farmers wait to control weeds, the more they reduce yields at harvest, especially in soybeans.

“Close to a nine-bushel reduction, which with today’s prices would be a $72 per acre loss.”      

Sprague says weed pressure varies across Michigan because of the cool wet start to this year’s growing season but, if not controlled, can limit emergence and become more difficult to control later in the growing season.

She recommends applying herbicides at least a week before planting soybeans while corn has more flexibility.  Sprague strongly suggests not applying herbicides to stressed winter wheat and waiting until temperatures are in the 50s.

Sprague made comments during this year’s weekly virtual breakfasts series from Michigan State University Extension.  The Field Crops Team will host MSU specialists and others to educate about in-season issues for Michigan farmers every Thursday morning throughout the growing season.