Harvest may be in full swing, but it’s not too early to start thinking about next year.

Already?

The next growing season virtually kicks off the instant the combine exits the field. Once the combine is safely back in the shop and the harvest dust settles, you start to see… winter annual weeds.

These annual party crashers may put a damper on your post-harvest fiestas. But taking action now can help ensure they don’t crash your planting season as well.

As your reliable partner in the field, LG Seeds is committed to your success—and we’ve got some tips and tricks to help you maintain a strategic advantage over those pesky weeds. 

The Growing Challenge of Weed Control

As more growers pivot toward reduced or no-till farming practices, we've witnessed a surge of winter annual weed species like marestail, chickweed, henbit and shepherd's purse. 

These weeds have a knack for causing chaos and hijacking yields. Among them, marestail stands out as a particularly irksome character. It’s capable of switching between winter and summer annual lifecycles, which can throw a curveball come spring.

To complicate matters even further, Mother Nature's unpredictability—including late rains and warmer temperatures—can add fuel to the weed fire in some years. 

When considering your weed challenges, keep a close eye on fields more prone to weed invasions. Taming this unruly bunch is the key to squeezing every last ounce of yield from your crops.

When to Apply Fall Herbicides

First and foremost, always stick to label instructions and champion responsible environmental stewardship when utilizing herbicides. It’s kind of a big deal.

When it comes to fall herbicide applications, timing is your ticket to success. Generally, the prime window for unleashing a fall burndown is from mid-October through mid-November.  While it's possible to apply herbicides beyond this period, weeds toughen up after enduring a hard freeze, and the translocation and absorption of herbicides usually slows in cooler temperatures.

A typical fall burndown mixture features glyphosate, often paired with 2,4-D and/or dicamba. This potent blend zeroes in on early-emerging weeds, which lightens the load for spring burndown applications and makes them more effective. 

Regarding the effectiveness of fall herbicide applications, Mother Nature holds the ultimate trump card. Therefore, consider weather whims and the local climate. Residual herbicides can keep fields pristine until planting season, but they might overstay their welcome if winter is extra frosty. 

Conversely, a balmy, gentle winter could fast-track the breakdown of soil residual products, potentially thwarting your control plans.

Consequently, it might be wise to leave the residual tank mix off the fall guest list. Instead, save your resources for a stellar pre-emerge and post-emerge performance in the spring. This helps you maintain control while keeping your costs in check.

Benefits of Fall Weed Control

While weed control remains the primary objective of fall herbicide applications, there are also some extra perks.

Free from the weed clutter, springtime fields tend to warm up quicker. They sport a cleaner, debris-free surface, which leads to consistent crop emergence and better crop stands. 

Additionally, fewer weeds often mean fewer insects. Fields overrun with weeds are like a welcome mat for pests that can wreak havoc on upcoming crops. For example, henbit can act as a cozy host for soybean cyst nematodes. 

Fall applications also give you a head start in the spring, giving you the flexibility to tackle smaller weeds with your pre-plant treatments. 

Ending the Year on the Right Foot

As this growing season wraps up and the next one begins, stay ahead of herbicide-resistant weeds with a well-timed fall herbicide application—and reap the rewards of a clean, productive field come spring.

Looking for expert advice? Your LG Seeds agronomy team is standing by with reliable insights for you and your farm, so reach out today.