Producers Blog

That’s a wrap on fall, but it’s never too early to be thinking about next year. One of the biggest decisions to be made for 2017 is whether or not to utilize the new Roundup Ready 2 Xtend® soybean system to aid in weed control going into next year. Tough weeds such as kochia and waterhemp have caused loss of yield, as well as made harvest difficult – not to mention the incredible eyesore they can be. Let’s look at a few management practices to help you better control those tough weeds:

To begin, utilizing a true pre-emerge herbicide will greatly increase your chances of controlling these tough weeds. There are a few herbicides that can even be applied in the fall to give you a jumpstart on next year’s early emerging weeds.

Kochia is one of the first broadleaf weeds to emerge in the spring. The earlier we can be out there preventing them from emerging the better. Scouting your fields early and often to maximize the efficacy of your pre-emerge will not only give you the best bang for your buck, but will allow you to have a better understanding of when and how much weed pressure you have.

There are quite a few options as long as they are applied before the soybeans have emerged. Those options are greatly reduced once the soybeans are up. This is why it is so important to have a plan in place ahead of time. Once we get into the growing season, we can evaluate when to use the new XtendiMax™ herbicide recently approved by the EPA. The weed spectrum and pressure you have will determine the route you can use to give you the best control. Consider the use of another residual herbicide to control those later-emerging weeds such as waterhemp.

With the new XtendiMax herbicide option, it gives soybean producers flexibility and another avenue to manage post-emerged weeds with the premix of dicamba and VaporGrip™ technology. The VaporGrip technology will help to reduce drift of what would normally be a volatile product. Keep in mind, the label says XtendiMax needs to be applied to weeds less than 4” tall. Another stipulation is that the application also needs to be done prior to R1 or beginning bloom, which is initiated on the longest day of the year, June 21^st. Applying to weeds less than 4” tall will help ensure that the new technology will last and that we won’t develop resistance like that of glyphosate alone.

There are a lot of things to consider when deciding if Roundup Ready 2 Xtend soybeans can help you improve weed control on your farm. Producers Hybrids offers a full lineup of Roundup Ready 2 Xtend soybeans and would be glad to help you decide the best fit for your operation. Talk to your local dealer, Producers Hybrids Sales Agronomist or District Sales Manager about your options as you make your decisions for next year – spring will be here before you know it.