Dr. Allen York, NC State Extension Weed Science specialist says that in spite of the warm, dry winter, the 2012 growing season is looking much the same as last year as far weed control measures:
“I think that’s what we’re going to see in terms of weed control this resistant Palmer amaranth is pretty much driving everybody’s decisions, that’s pretty much all that we talk about any more. And we have been promoting programs and talking about resistance management for I guess, pushing seven, eight years now, since the problem got back in 2005, 2006. And so these guys have been beat over the head with eh message for so long, and they have seen it themselves, they have seen the programs, and seen the results and so I think we’re at the point now that these guys are well aware of the problem and for the most part they’re committed to do what they can to take care of it.”
Estimations are that better than half of producers are utilizing either strip till or no till practices, York explains that weed control starts with burn down and the right mix is crucial:
“I think we may be a shade early right now, but certainly burndown is going to be one of the first things that we’re dealing with. And we also have a plentiful amount of glyphosate resistant horse weed, so that’s just kind of a universal thing that we say ‘you’ve probably got it’, and so take care of it in your burndown. Our standard recommendation has been Roundup, plus, either 24D or Clarity, plus Valor. And for the most part that program’s worked pretty well. I’m hearing some rumors from some dealers that 24D might be a little tight this year, or a little more expensive than it’s been, and if that’s the case, then Clarity is going to work fine in this situation for us.”
On Monday we’ll hear more from Dr. Allen York on early season weed management on Today’s Topic.
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