Adjusting Herbicide Programs for Late Planting

Wet weather is slowing planting across the entire mid-west. As of last Monday, 4-25-11, the USDA reported that only 10% of the Illinois corn crop was planted compared to 67% on the same date in 2010. Iowa is only 3% planted compared to 61% at this time last year. Wisconsin and Minnesota are near zero acres in the ground. With the cold wet weather it might not be all bad to have the seed in the shed instead of in the ground.

Another area that is not getting much press coverage is the weed growth in the field while we sit and wait. Tillage will help to control these weeds before planting as long as growers make sure they till deep enough to tear out the weed roots. Weeds that are stunted from tillage but not killed are even harder to control with a later herbicide application. One reason is that they have been stressed so they do not take up and translocate herbicides as well. Another is that they are more mature than plant height alone might suggest, so growers often do not apply proper rates for control.

If your fields are looking like the one above, make sure you take the time to get them clean at planting time. From here out it gets more difficult and usually more expensive to achieve adequate weed control. Talk to you Trelay DSM if you have questions.

Here is more info from Ohio State on Adjusting Burndown Programs

Are you confused about refuge requirements?

You are not alone if you answered yes to this question. Looking at all of the options on the market, it’s easy to understand the confusion that exists today.

Trelay has the solution! We have recently received approval for our new SmartStax RIB Complete. This new offering eliminates the need to plant a separate structured refuge. RIB Complete is the simplest and most convenient product on the market today. It will allow you to plant fence line to fence line with a single product. No more worries about figuring percentages and where to put to put what products.

RIB Complete contains a 95/5 blended product that complies with refuge requirements for above and below ground insects along with glyphosate and glufosinate herbicide resistance in both components of the blend.

We are very excited about the opportunity to talk with you about how Trelay can help simplify your planting time decisions and give you the first single bag solution.

Is it Time To Plant Corn?

There are two main stresses to be concerned with when deciding to plant corn into cold soils (below 50 degrees). Variable soil temperatures that can slow germination and emergence, and the threat of frost on newly emerged seedlings.

After the seed is planted it will absorb about 30% of its weight in water, soil temperature has very little affect on this process. The next process after the seed imbibes water is shoot and root growth, and these are very dependent on soil temperature of 50 degrees or warmer. In soils colder than 50 degrees, there is greater chance of seedling rot and poor emergence, especially if the cold conditions last more than a day or two. Cold soils at the time of planting, and right after planting are a very common cause of variable final stands. Cold soils after planting can also cause seedlings to be stunted and show distorted leaves like the ones in the picture below if they do manage to emerge at all.

Late frost after the corn emerges is not as serious of a threat as planting into cold soils. The late frost may kill or damage exposed above ground tissue, but the growing point of corn remains below the soil surface until the crop reaches the V6 or 6th leaf stage. As long as the seed is planted at the proper depth and the seed furrow is closed properly, the recovery time from a moderate frost is fairly fast and has almost no affect on final yield. In extreme cases there may be a slight reduction in stand from late season frost.

For more information on corn planting and cold conditions click here or contact your local Trelay DSM.