Cover Crops and Herbicides
I think one of the most overlooked problems with farmers trying cover crops is not paying enough attention to the herbicide program that was used in the cash crop before the cover crop was planted. We, as farmers, spend a great deal of money to control weeds in our cash crop fields. Over the last several years, many “hard” to control weeds like waterhemp and resistant marestail have pushed many of us to use herbicides that have more residual activity or we have to spray “late” rescue treatments to control late escaping weeds. These late applications or more persistent [...]
Looking for the Silver Lining
2019 has been a year to remember, or maybe, it has been a year most of us in the agriculture community would like to forget. Late planting, variable rainfall all summer, followed by a wet and cold fall have made for many “headaches” this year. Many farmers are still trying to get crops harvested a few days before Thanksgiving. The cold, wet fall has led to many challenges such as harvesting higher-moisture corn, muddy fields, compaction, lack of cover crops getting planted and less tillage, and fewer fall fertilizer applications than most farmers would have liked. This has left [...]
Cover Crops and Herbicide Carryover
Planning to plant covers this fall? Plan your residual herbicide strategy accordingly. The increased adoption of soil residual herbicides in soybeans to control herbicide resistant weeds could result in carryover into fall planted cover crops. If you plan to plant covers this fall and had to adjust your herbicide program this spring it is a good idea to recognize the potential herbicide carryover ahead of fall cover crop planting. Over the past few years, one of the factors in poor cover crop establishment has been attributed to herbicide carryover. There are several reasons why we should be concerned with [...]
Agronomy: Good Things Come in Fours
As leaders in sustainability, Illinois soybean growers have a long history of increasing productivity while reducing negative environmental impacts. However, there is a need for agriculture to continue to improve by adopting the latest tools and technologies. The good news is that increasing efficiency and minimizing environmental impact helps keep more money in your pocket. Use the “4Rs” of nutrient stewardship—right source, right rate, right place and right time—as your guide to establish a solid foundation for nutrient management on your farm. Consider the source The right fertilizer source plays a significant role in ensuring that crops receive a balanced [...]
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