The View from Kentucky
Sarah Gehant, technical support representative in Kentucky, shares her observations of harvest progression and weed control results in Kentucky.
Harvest has been running about three weeks behind schedule, and continues to be held up by wet fields and precipitation. Corn yields look great and overall weed control this year was excellent. Growers really saw a benefit from using residual herbicides this year because they kept the fields clean even when extended wet field conditions delayed glyphosate applications.
Marestail (horseweed) is the primary weed of concern in Kentucky soybeans and, fortunately, many growers recognize that they can no longer control this weed with glyphosate alone. For the 2010 season, more growers are planning a shift to residuals, and even tillage, prior to planting to get control of marestail early in the season. Waterhemp, which is also very difficult to control, used to be a southern Illinois weed, but we are seeing it move into western Kentucky, western Indiana and all areas along the Ohio River. Residual programs are the best solution for control in corn and soybeans prior to post applications.
Source: USDA, NASS, Kentucky Crop and Weather Report, 10.25.09
Resistance Fighter of the Year
As harvest progresses, it becomes easier to see how resistant weeds have impacted your crop - aesthetically and economically. If you know of someone who has influenced your weed management decisions and helped you and others manage resistance in your area, nominate them for Resistance Fighter of the Year. Nominations are accepted 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.