Planting season is rapidly coming to a close. 

And that means it's time to unleash the sprayers and send them out to tackle those pesky weeds. 

These tiny troublemakers may seem harmless, but numerous studies have shown that early-season weed pressure can jeopardize your yield potential—that's a battle we can't afford to lose. 

We know… we've heard it, too: "Oh, those early-season weeds are too small to cause any harm." 

But this dismissive remark is a dangerous misconception if you're aiming for record-breaking crop yields.

Early-season weeds steal water and nutrients that rightfully belong to your crops. And if that wasn't enough, their densely packed presence blankets the soil, denying it sunlight.

At LG Seeds, we are committed to your success—season after season. That's why we have assembled an early-season weed pressure guide to help you understand how those seemingly insignificant weeds can impact your harvest.

Yield Loss From Weed Pressure

The adage that "bigger is better" does not always hold… especially with early-season weeds.

Picture this: weeds are standing at a modest three to four inches tall when our beloved crops are at their V3 to V4 stages. 

These sneaky competitors can snatch up a whopping 30-40 pounds of nitrogen per acre. And here's the kicker—once that nitrogen's gone, it's… well… gone.

And then, the costly aftermath… 

Sure, you can try to play catch-up by adding extra nitrogen, but the weeds have already done their pilfering. Reclaiming what's rightfully yours won't come cheap.

Furthermore, you should prepare yourself for a yield loss (particularly in your corn fields).

Failing to knock out those weeds when they are three to four inches tall can result in a yield loss of three bushels per day—that's for every day you delay a herbicide application. 

Ouch…

And if you think that's bad, consider this: the University of Minnesota found that delaying weed control can result in a 12-13 bushels per acre (bpa) loss within the first week and a mind-numbing 27-29 bpa loss in the second week. 

That's a bad deal for your profitability… 

The devastating effects of early-season weed pressure aren't limited to your corn acres. In your soybean fields, those weeds can usually grow a bit taller before causing too much damage (usually around the six-inch mark). But consider this information out of Michigan State University:

Delaying burndown applications until the VC or V1 stages can result in an eight bpa yield loss. And if you wait until V3, that yield loss can shoot north of nine bpa.

Managing Early Season Weed Pressure

Now you know when to manage weeds, but how should you manage them?

We're glad you asked. 

A total post-emergence program can be risky because Mother Nature often determines application timing (and let's face it: she doesn't always cooperate).

At LG Seeds, our agronomists recommend using an integrated program with some residual products early on. You can also split-apply your pre-plant and pre-emerge products, then follow that up with post-emerge applications. 

This integrated approach will reduce the risk of yield loss and help with application timing while covering a broad spectrum of weeds.

Some farmers will run reduced rates of soil residual herbicides to save money. But depending on weather conditions and weed pressure, this method can set you up to fail. Full-rate applications provide a bigger window of control that you do not get with reduced rates. 

And don't forget the crucial piece of the puzzle that completes your weed management plan—always check the label for proper rates based on your soil type.

Built for How You Grow

It's always best to manage your herbicide program on a field-by-field basis—and LG 

Seeds has the tools and expertise you need to make that happen. 

If you're having trouble identifying weeds or weed thresholds, reach out to your reliable partner in the field. Your LG Seeds agronomist is here to help.