How are Soybeans Shaping up in Ohio?
Chris Weed, Syngenta sales rep in Ohio, has helped educate growers and retailers in his territory on the impact of glyphosate resistance and the importance of sound weed management practices. Compared to past years, vast improvements have been made in weed management, but there are still fields that show the guidance of industry professionals and weed scientists is needed. Soybean harvest has paused for the moment due to rain, but Chris shares his thoughts on how this season is turning out in the comments below.
Soybeans are yielding higher than expected so far, especially considering the number of weedy soybean fields I have seen - both in glyphosate-tolerant and conventional fields. Some of those fields are infested with weeds resistant or tolerant to glyphosate and could have produced even higher yields with improved weed control.
The marestail (horseweed) infestation in some soybean fields is unbelievably high. With marestail producing up to 200,000 seeds per plant, what will these fields look like in 2010? Many growers are looking at their pre-emergence, residual herbicide choices and the rates they put down this past year contemplating how to improve results for next year. It ultimately comes down to sound principles of weed control.
It remains to be seen if there will be a substantial switch to conventional soybeans acres in 2010.
This picture shows how problematic glyphosate-resistant marestail can be. In this field in southwest Ohio, marestail has become even more difficult to kill without glyphosate as an option.
Resistance Fighter of the Year
Do you know someone who has influenced your weed management decisions and helped you and others manage resistance in your area? Nominations are now being accepted for Resistance Fighter of the Year through Monday, November 30, 2009, at http://www.resistancefighteroftheyear.com/. Eligible nominees include retailers, consultants and county extension agents who have successfully implemented resistance management practices with producers in their area.