When it comes to taking care of your crops throughout the year, there are many things to think about. Weeds are just one of the yield-robbing problems that producers face in any given year. However, there is always a bit of a guessing game as to what may be the challenges you will have popping up in your rows every year. While many farmers have a good herbicide program and look at many ways of eradicating weeds that pop up, there is always more that can be done to help get ahead of the problem.
We continue talking with Gail Stratman, Regional Technical Service Manager for the Heartland Region for FMC. Today he talks about the weed seed bank. We discussed the weed seed bank at Commodity Classic last year in San Antonio. I asked him where things were heading into this growing year. As he reminds us, the weed seed bank is not something you can fix in just one year. It is something that you have to continually stay on top of.
Just like 2019 left challenges to be dealt with in 2020, 2020 left challenges that we will have to address in 2021. The dry conditions meant more weed competition with plants that struggled to stay strong. However, Stratman points out that if farmers were diligent in their weed management program, it will be easier for them this growing season.
Stratman says that no matter how efficient your weed control program was last year; it does not mean you can let up in 2021. Weed seeds can stay dormant in the soil for years. You need to stay strong with your pre and post-emergence weed control options. Stratman suggests a few FMC products that can help you keep ahead of the game.
The derecho that we saw in August of 2020 could also have exacerbated the weed control problems for 2021. There were more opportunities for late-season weeds to escape because of the severe damage to some fields.
To learn more about FMC?s herbicide options, visit your local retailer or the FMC website.
