Weeds are always a problem for farmers, says Oklahoma State University Weed Science Extension Specialist Dr. Misha Manuchehri, but especially when there is plenty of water and conditions are right - like right now for instance. In a recent interview with Radio Oklahoma Ag Network Associate Farm Director Carson Horn, she discussed some of the weed related issues affecting area farmers this year and what tools are available to them in combatting them.
Many farmers in Oklahoma will often opt to lay their top dress and herbicide down in the spring to save time and energy, but Manuchehri reports that more farmers have shifted focus to making fall applications this year.
“…Which is good,” she said. “As soon as you have weeds and they’re competing with your crop - that’s potentially affecting your yield and quality. So, the sooner we can get on it the better.”
Currently, farmers’ challenges have been with the usual suspects that show up around this time of year.
“All of our winter annuals are up - so think plants that come up in the winter and typically flower in the spring. Those plants depending on if they’re broadleaf or grasses, have very similar life cycles to wheat,” she reported. “We’re seeing a lot of the mustards, bushy wallflower and then many of the bromes and grasses like Italian ryegrass and feral rye… Everything is up if it’s a winter weed.”
With these characters in mind, Manuchehri says what she has found to be most effective at combatting them are some of the old standbys.
“For broadleaves, our synthetic auxens like 2,4-D and dicamba - those are still doing a really good job,” she said. “The one thing that is important is those herbicides don’t really work well once we get past that four-inch stage. So, if you are past the four-inch stage, which I would imagine many producers are, you probably need to think about tank mixing another product in there with your auxen. Having another mode in there can help us get some of those bigger plants.”
In addition to these considerations, Manuchehri suggests that now is a good time to conduct some routine maintenance on your equipment as well in preparation for spring weed management. Checking a few of these things off your list, she says, can help make your chemical spraying more efficient, cost-effective and sustainable.
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