How to Get Effective Weed Control, More Rotational Freedom in Cereal Grains
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Across the Pacific Northwest, the northern Plains and southern Plains, farmers are often caught up in a game of planting date roulette because of revolving weather patterns that sideline their efforts.
According to the Agricultural Weather Information Service (AWIS), a La Nina weather pattern that began in late fall of 2024 was expected to continue until early spring of 2025. This pattern favors more frequent wet conditions with mostly below normal temperatures for the Pacific Northwest (PNW), and drier, warmer conditions for the southern Plains. It also typically means a colder than normal pattern with periods of snow for the northern Plains.
"Although there will always be weather pattern variations, the anticipated La Nina pattern into early spring would favor early plantings in the southern plains in areas with adequate moisture,” says Karl Harker, vice president, Operations, AWIS. “Above normal precipitation, slow warming soils due to colder periods in the PNW will likely limit early planting. Weather in the northern Plains will also include cold weather periods that will slow soil warming. Farmers in areas lacking snow accumulation on fields might get an early start."
Northern Plains
When farmers do get cereal grains planted in these regions, weed control will be a priority to maintain yield and profitability potential. In the northern Plains, kochia continues to be one of the most troublesome weeds followed by Russian thistle and lambsquarters. From a grass weed perspective, many farmers will once get excellent activity on cheatgrass, wild oats and green foxtail species with OpenSky® herbicide.
"Drilling cereal grains into northern Plains soils usually begins around the first or second week of April, so that means scouting for weeds will start around the second week of May," says Marcus Weatherhead, strategic account manager, Corteva Agriscience. "Growers are eager to include Tolvera herbicide in their herbicide programs to control those top three and other broadleaf weeds as well as several grass species in spring and winter wheat, durum and barley. A Group 6 and Group 27, Tolvera herbicide will also be a significant resistance management tool. Pixxaro EC with Arylex active herbicide will continue to be used on a lot of wheat acres while OpenSky herbicide will be a reliable option for many farmers to control tough grass weed species."
Pacific Northwest
Farming in the PNW has its own set of nuances. Irrigated and dryland acres attract various species of grasses and broadleaf weeds, including kochia, Russian thistle and dogfennel. Tolvera® herbicide, containing tolpyralate, an active ingredient new to the cereals market, will provide activity on troublesome weeds in small grains and the short rotation interval allows farmers to come back to potatoes, onions, and other high-value crops popular in the PNW.
Always pushing the edge of spring conditions, farmers should hold herbicide applications until the temperature warms and weeds are big enough, and have enough surface area, to absorb and take in active ingredients.
"Both Tolvera herbicide and Quelex herbicide will provide excellent activity on weeds over both our irrigated and dryland acres," says Mark Pederson, territory manager,
Corteva Agriscience. "The new active ingredient Tolvera brings to the cereals market is a perfect fit for small grain acres, and I know dryland farmers will again lean on WideMatch herbicide too. It performed exceptionally well on cereal acres last year."
Pederson understands what farmers want to do from a crop rotation perspective. That will drive their decision to choose either Tolvera® herbicide or WideMatch® herbicide. WideMatch herbicide delivers reliable activity on more than 60 postemergence broadleaf weeds including wild buckwheat, and it will control weeds up to eight inches in height. With a short rotation window for Tolvera herbicide, farmers can come back to sensitive commodities like pulse crops, soybeans and canola while benefiting from the novel active ingredients in Tolvera herbicide to help fight resistance.
“We’re also excited about Tarzec and Rezuvant herbicides for control of grasses,” Pederson says.
Southern Plains
The southern Plains is a diverse agricultural region where wheat is planted for various purposes, including grain, silage, grazing and as a cover crop. In addition to the crop's many functions, weed spectrum and products used can vary equally as much. Rotational flexibility is more than just important, because cropping decisions can change multiple times as markets and weather fluctuate.
"Farmers in Oklahoma continue to choose products like
PowerFlex HL and Rezuvant herbicides for their superior grass control, excellent crop safety, and crop rotational flexibility," says Katie Verett, market development specialist, Corteva Agriscience. "Quelex herbicide continues to increase in popularity for the rotational flexibility, ease of use and broadleaf control with the new Arylex active for resistance management."
Kochia continues to be a predominant weed moving west across the southern Plains. Pixxaro® EC herbicide brings two active ingredients to bolster kochia control while being mindful of resistance and crop rotation options. When spring arrives, henbit, marestail, Russian thistle, mustards, cheatgrass, Italian ryegrass, wild oats and rescuegrass can increase the complexity of herbicide programs.
“Corteva Agriscience cereals herbicide portfolio offers many viable solutions no matter what weed challenges you face,” Verett concludes.
OpenSky®, Pixxaro® EC PowerFlex® HL Quelex®, Rezuvant®, Tarzec®, Tolvera™ and WideMatch® are not registered for sale or use in all states. Contact your state pesticide regulatory agency to determine if a product is registered for sale or use in your state. Arylex® is a registered active ingredient. Always read and follow label directions.
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