With harvest at full-force it can be hard to fathom the need to plan for next year’s growing season. Several tasks done after harvest and before winter such as fertilization and tillage can make for a less stressful spring and a more productive growing season. Another important management decision for fall is the implementation of a fall herbicide application. 

Weed management is becoming a real challenge with the rising resistance to several chemical options. Fall weed management is a great step toward controlling tough weeds in the spring. A fall herbicide application allows you to gain advantages on winter annuals before they get a chance to produce seeds. Spring is a very busy time and can often be too wet to spray in a timely manner, causing problem weeds to become even more difficult to control. With the recent rainfall events we have experienced through much of the western corn belt, winter annuals may be in greater abundance making a fall herbicide application even more advantageous.

Fall applications are often most beneficial in the time between harvest and the first hard freeze. During this period, most plants will not be growing very rapidly. Fall applications are meant to control the already emerged weeds, but an early application with a residual could potentially provide control for weeds that have not germinated yet. Residuals can be a gamble when applying later in the season. A moderate to warm winter can cause the residual to degrade in the soil and be irrelevant come spring time. However, a cold winter can prolong the degradation and potentially help your weed management goals. Residuals can be costly, so it may be a better option to just wait to apply a residual in the spring instead of guessing how the winter may be.

Spray applications in the fall do not need to be an expensive, aggressive mixture. A simple glyphosate product mixed with a 2,4-D and/or dicamba product can give suitable control of many winter annuals.

So, get your next year’s growing season off to a good start this fall with a proper fall herbicide application. For more information contact your LG Seeds Sales Account Manager (SAM), or Technical Team Agronomist (TTA). Have a safe harvest!

Resources and additional information:
https://www.agriculture.com/crops/pesticides/fall-herbicide-application-considerations
http://blogs.pjstar.com/gardening/2015/09/21/fall-weed-control-tips/

Download a copy of this Technical Bulletin: Fall Herbicide Application

Note: The information in this issue is based upon field observations and third-party information. Since variations in local conditions may affect the information and suggestions contained in this issue, LG Seeds disclaims legal responsibility therefore. Always read and follow label instructions. Advantage Acre^®, LG Seeds and design are trademarks of AgReliant Genetics, LLC.