Cultural Change for Row Spacing: Wide vs. Narrow

There is no right way to farm, however, there have been many methods of farming that have been tried and tested. When thinking about weed control, our industry once relied heavily on mechanical control, which eventually lead to major erosion and environmental impact. When glyphosate-tolerant soybeans were introduced to the market, they allowed for less tillage, reducing environmental impact. Over the past 10 years, chemical controls alone have given Mother Nature the opportunity to evolve weed biology. In my areas, mechanical control has started to be reintroduced to the acre, which also reintroduced its environmental impact. It’s now time to think about weed control from a true, systems approach that will not only improve weed control but also improve yield and reduce the environmental impact. It’s time to evaluate the “culture control” and how it can improve the full soybean system.

• Mechanical Control
  • Soil Erosion: lost organic matter
  • Reduced water infiltration rates
  • Reduced water holding capacity
  • Reduced soil carbon
  • Costs are increasing
  • Success is minimizing
• Chemical Control
  • Wind speed/drift/volatility
  • Sensitive crops
  • Label restriction
  • Resistance (pre- and post-)
  • AMS no AMS
  • Supply constraints
  • State and federal regulation
  • Spray date restriction
  • Costs are increasing
  • Success is minimizing
• Cultural Control
  • Cover Crops
    • Reduced marestail and waterhemp
    • Reduced soil erosion
      • Improved soil function which leads to improved soil water infiltration and improved water holding capacity
    • Reduced soil surface temperatures during vegetative growth
      • Less water evaporation
      • Nutrients more available near the surface
  • Narrow Rows
    • Quicker canopy:
      • Will allow for less weed population to emerge that require a late season herbicide application
  • Planting Date (Early)
    • Quicker canopy: Improved sunlight capture per acre
    • Improved yields

Considerations:

1. Ask yourself, does your current “chemical control” system fall short of expectation?

2. Ask yourself, does your current “mechanical control” system fall short of expectation?

3. Ask yourself, can a new direction with “cultural control” provide value in your operation?

4. Can a cultural change provide a quicker canopy?

5. Can a cultural change reduce tillage and erosion?

6. Can a cultural change reduce reliance of herbicide AI?

7. Can a cultural change improve your APH, yield & profits?

Recommendation:

1. Do not say “I can’t make these changes.”

2. Do your research and homework to see how a new system can work.

3. Visit with your current equipment supplier and seek out new equipment suppliers to learn about new tools to support your cultural change.

4. Get everyone on board for the systems change so that the change will be successful.