Corn and soybean harvest in the Midwest has been running at least two weeks ahead of schedule, with some states like Iowa almost done already. This situation provides farmers with a unique opportunity to get an early start fall weed control measures to lighten their spring workload.

Justin Pollard, Monsanto Weed Management Technology Development Representative in Iowa, recommends that growers take things on a field-by-field basis when considering fall herbicide applications and/or fall tillage. “Applying both burndown and residual herbicides in the fall can give farmers a larger window next spring for herbicide applications,” says Pollard, who notes that fall herbicide applications are especially effective on late-germinating annual weeds and those annuals that germinate early in the spring. “Recommended herbicides for fall application
include Roundup® Agricultural Herbicides tank mixed with dicamba and/or 2,4-D.”

Control of chickweed and henbit where manure has been applied is especially beneficial, as is knocking back populations of marestail, some of which may be glyphosate-resistant. “We are finding that marestail has changed in germination pattern and will germinate in late summer and fall as well as early in the spring,” Pollard explains. “It’s important to use multiple modes of action in your herbicide program, and dicamba is an excellent choice that provides some residual control.”

For more information on weed control, visit RoundupReadyPLUS.com.