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Weed Management: Herbicide Mixing is Best Practice for Mitigating Weed Resistance
Research conducted in Illinois by Dr. Aaron Hagar and his associates revealed, not surprisingly, that management factors are most important when it comes to the occurrence and the severity of resistance.

Dr. Hager’s team also concluded that herbicide mixing, and not herbicide rotation, is the best practice for mitigating weed resistance. Using two herbicides with different sites of action each time you spray for weeds makes it 83 TIMES LESS LIKELY that weed resistance will develop!

The following steps will help you put effective weed management practices in place:
1. Identify your driver weed. Which weed will most likely develop resistance and has, historically, been the most difficult to control in your fields? For most of us in the Upper Midwest, this is Waterhemp. Depending on your geography, however, the driver weed could be Palmer Amaranth, Kochia, Marestail, Ragweed, etc.
2. ALWAYS use a pre-plant or pre-emergence application. Never rely exclusively on post-emergent control options.
3. ALWAYS follow label directions. When applying post-emerge products, make certain you do not exceed the labeled weed height for optimum control.
4. Mix herbicides. Each time you make a herbicide application, use two products with different sites-of-action for controlling your driver weed.
  - There are many lists available online from universities.
  - If you have a weed population that is already resistant to glyphosate, then glyphosate is NOT an effective site-of-action product against your driver weed.
  - If you are trying to control a broadleaf weed, like Waterhemp, adding a product for volunteer corn does NOT give you an extra site-of-action for the broadleaf weed.
5. Have a plan ready. Remember, selection for herbicide resistance happens every time you make a pass across the field. Make plans now for a comprehensive and sustainable weed management program.
Implementing an effective weed management program is critical to protecting the effectiveness of seed options. Weeds can and will overcome all trait options given enough time. While we all recognize the value of having multiple options for herbicide-resistant traits, the end-result will eventually be the same unless we protect against weed escapes now.
Mark Grundmeier, Product Manager

September 18, 2018

Agronomics, Herbicide Technology, Industry News, Tech Tuesday, Weed Control
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Biological Research Underway to Control Noxious Weeds

Researchers at the University of Illinois are testing similar techniques used to slow the spread of the Zika Virus to slow the spread of Waterhelp and Palmer Amaranth.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), through its National Institute of Food and Agriculture, has given $500,000 to Illinois scientists to see if genetic control of these troublesome weeds may be achieved. Scientists plan to use the very thing that makes these dioecious weeds so prolific —the fact they have separate male and female plants — to our advantage.

By changing the male-to female ratio so that mostly male plants are produced, scientists believe they can
cause the Waterhemp and Palmer amaranth populations to crash after a few generations. Scientists got this
idea for weed control because already specific controls are being used to target mosquito populations that spread malaria, Zika and other insect-borne diseases. By releasing genetically modified males to mate with “normal” females,
the offspring die before maturity.

It will take a few years before this theory can be proven for noxious weeds, but University of Illinois researchers working on this project have been uplifted by the discovery of a genome location in female plants that leads
to the production of non-viable males. They are quick to point out that this will not be the “silver bullet” against herbicide-resistant weeds farmer are hoping for, but it will certainly be a much-needed addition to the toolbox!

Whether it be the use of different herbicides, management practices like rotation, tillage and cultivation, or the pending
use of biological measures, it is important to make use of everything that is available to us. The importance of diversifying weed control tactics was emphasized during a fall field day in Alexander a few years ago by Iowa State University Extension Weed Specialist Dr. Mike Owen. It’s a philosophy we still put into practice.

At Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds, we continuously look for the best options available to fight weed resistance and the other challenges facing our farmer customers. You can bet we’ll stay abreast of the research currently underway and provide you with updates.

Webspec Admin

May 15, 2018

Herbicide Technology, Tech Tuesday
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Podcast: Planning for Herbicide Resistant Weeds

Today on our Ask the Agronomist podcast is our Seed Product Manager, Mark Grundmeier! Mark weighs in on all things herbicide, including resistant weeds and how to plan for success in the future.

Thanks for tuning in and see you back next week!

Webspec Admin

October 19, 2017

#AskTheAgronomist, Herbicide Technology, Podcast
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Weed Management, PART III: Herbicide Mixing is Best Practice for Mitigating Weed Resistance
This is the third and final article in a three-part series, focusing on how to deal with herbicide-resistant weeds. In the two previous editions of TECHtuesday, we discussed the “how’s and why’s” of herbicide-resistant weeds. To read the two previous articles in the series click below:
- Weed Management, PART II: The Hows and Whys of Herbicide Resistance
- Weed Management, PART I: Learn from the Past, Look to the Future
This article goes into more detail about planning your weed management practices.

Research conducted in Illinois by Dr. Aaron Hager and his associates revealed, not surprisingly, that management factors are most important when it comes to the occurrence and the severity of resistance.

Dr. Hager’s team also concluded that herbicide mixing, and not herbicide rotation, is the best practice for mitigating weed resistance. Using two herbicides with different sites of action each time you spray for weeds makes it 83 TIMES LESS LIKELY that weed resistance will develop!

The following steps will help you put effective weed management practices in place:

1. Identify your driver weed. Which weed will most likely develop resistance and has, historically, been the most difficult to control in your fields? For most of us in the Upper Midwest, this is Waterhemp. Depending on your geography, however, the driver weed could be Palmer Amaranth, Kochia, Marestail, Ragweed, etc.

2. ALWAYS use a pre-plant or pre-emergence application. Never rely exclusively on post-emergent control options.

3. ALWAYS follow label directions.When applying post-emerge products, make certain you do not exceed the labeled weed height for optimum control.

4. Mix herbicides. Each time you make a herbicide application, use two products with different sites-of action for controlling your driver weed.
» There are many lists available online from universities.
» If you have a weed population that is already resistant to glyphosate, then glyphosate is NOT an effective site-of action product against your driver weed.
» If you are trying to control a broadleaf weed, like Waterhemp, adding a product for volunteer corn does NOT give you an extra site-of-action for the broadleaf weed.

5. Have a plan ready. Remember, selection for herbicide resistance happens every time you make a pass across the field. Make plans now for a comprehensive and sustainable weed management program.

Implementing an effective weed management program is critical to protecting the effectiveness of seed options. Weeds can and will overcome all trait options given enough time. While we all recognize the value of having multiple options for herbicide resistant traits, the end-result will eventually be the same unless we protect against weed escapes now.
Webspec Admin

October 10, 2017

Herbicide Technology, Tech Tuesday
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Battle Weed Resistance with Herbicides from Different Groups

Weed resistance continues to be a topic of discussion during winter meetings with farmers and others in the ag industry. Many are anxiously awaiting full global approval of herbicide traits like Enlist™, Xtend™ and Balance GT,™ but remember, herbicides alone will not remedy weed resistance.

“Diversity of tactics is key to consistent weed management and high crop yields,” said Iowa State Extension Weed Specialist Dr. Micheal Owen while presenting at Latham’s field day in September 2011. He pointed out that rotating crops, rotating traits and rotating pesticides is the best way to slow down the very natural process whereby pests develop resistance to products that mankind uses to protect crops.

Herbicide products kill plants by binding to specific proteins and inhibiting the functions of those proteins. This is commonly referred to as the site (mode) of action. Check the numbering system, usually printed on the first page of the manufacturer’s label, to categorize each herbicide by its site of action.

“Weeds will adapt, so you must know your herbicide action group,” Dr. Owen during a recent Crop Advantage Series jointly presented by Iowa State University and the Iowa Soybean Association.

For example, say a farmer has been using Prowl® and FirstRate® pre-emergence on Roundup-Ready® Soybeans followed by Roundup® and FlexStar® post-emerge. He wants to rotate chemicals for better weed management. Next year he’s planning to use Treflan® plus Raptor®, followed by Roundup and Resource®. The problem? Prowl and Treflan are both classified as group 3 herbicides. FlexStar and Resource are group 14, and Raptor and FirstRate are in group 2. He might see some improved weed control simply because the herbicides have slightly different active ingredients, but his rotation will not help prevent weed resistance.

A better plan would be to use Dual® (group 15) plus Sencor® (group 5) pre-emergence followed by Roundup plus Basagran® (group 6). And the BEST plan would be to plant LibertyLink™ Soybeans instead of Roundup-Ready and then switch Liberty® herbicide (group 10) in that plan for the Roundup (group 9) and the Basagran!

Using multiple products with different sites of action, however, is not enough. Farmers must also make certain the herbicides are effective against the weeds they are trying to manage. Mechanical methods of weed control including cultivation even hand-weeding must be considered, as well as crop rotation and other cultural practices.

More information on which herbicides belong to which site-of-action group is available at http://www.weeds.iastate.edu/HerbicideChart.pdf. This website also gives information on many of the premix herbicide combinations and the groups to which they belong.

Webspec Admin

January 28, 2015

Agronomics, Corn, Crop, General, Herbicide Technology, Industry News, Soybeans, Weed Control
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Consider Traits & Chemistries in Your Crop Rotation

A soybean-corn crop rotation allows farmers to spread out spring and summer fieldwork and provides a larger window for harvest. Plus, a soybean-corn rotation can lead to energy savings during production and when handling, drying and conditioning of stored grain, according to recent issue of “Advance” published by the ISA On-Farm Network.

“Studies show us that corn yields are higher following soybeans. The advantage of a soybean-corn rotation still centers on yield. The positive impact is probably due to several factors,” says Ed Anderson, Iowa Soybean Association senior director of supply and production systems. “Soybeans break disease, insect and weed cycles and provide a nitrogen credit for corn the following year.

It’s true that crop rotation can help achieve higher yields, as well as reduce risk ranging from volunteer corn to weed resistance. Other benefits include better soil health, less disease pressure and higher profits are a few of the benefits that come from rotating corn and soybeans if farmers are careful about rotating traits and chemistries. Plus, crop rotation can be one of the best management practices to control CRW.

However, it’s no longer enough for farmers to merely rotate crops. Farmers also must rotate between herbicide chemistries, as well as hybrid/variety traits. Rotating between various herbicide traits is important from the standpoint of reducing weed resistance. It also has been proven that it helps in overall herbicide performance.

Rotating traits, especially insect resistance traits in corn, is especially important for the same reasons – to decrease the risk of insects becoming resistant to those traits and also to improve overall trait performance. As newer traits become commercially available in soybeans, the same will be true. We will need to be good stewards of these traits and rotate them whenever possible!

One advantage of working with family-owned and independent Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds is that we can help you select the trait packages needed to change up your modes of action. Latham offers the industry’s broadest, deepest seed lineup – which makes it more convenient for farmers to get all their seed needs met.

Team Latham

May 2, 2013

Corn, Crop, General, Herbicide Technology, Industry News, Seed Technology, Soybeans
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Maximize Yield on Every Acre with Integrated Systems

Peter Bixel

by Peter Bixel, Seed-to-Soil® Lead

Dale Sorenson, Commercial Breeding Lead for Monsanto, last week talked with a group of Seed-to-Soil and SciMax clients about maximizing yield potential on every acre through integrated farming systems. Integrated Farming Systems include: improved weed management, pest protection, disease protection, stress tolerance, and increased yield potential.

One technology to help maximum yield potential is Roundup Ready® Xtend Crop System for soybeans. Also in Monsanto’s pipeline is Corn Rootworm III Technology, designed to complement current commercial traits. This “next generation corn rootworm technology” will attack corn rootworm through a new mode of action using a natural process different than Bt.

New programs for Goss’s Wilt protection and Gray Leaf Spot resistance also are in the pipeline. . Monsanto’s Ag Biologicals Platform is focusing on BioDirect™, which is designed to target glyphosate-resistant weeds for better control. BioDirect™ was also seen to provide protection against insect pests and reduce symptoms of viruses.

While weed management and pest protection are certainly two important factors when maximizing yield potential on each acre, seed selection is perhaps the single most important factor. Traited products from Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds combine industry-leading genetics with industry-leading traits from technology providers like Monsanto.

NOTE: Not all traited products offer rootworm protection. Herculex I, for example, has resistance/tolerance to Liberty, Roundup and corn borer. Herc 1, however, does not protect against corn rootworm. A person can’t just assume that a “Bt hybrid” will have rootworm protection.

Take some time now to review what seed you’re planning to plant in which fields. Planning pays! Seed can have a 700% return on investment… What else does?

Webspec Admin

February 18, 2013

General, Herbicide Technology, Industry News, Seed Technology
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Extend Weed Control with New Xtend Crop System

Water hemp, giant ragweed and marestail have become nightmares for farmers who have experienced weed resistance. Although it’s been a bigger problem in the South, we’re also seeing signs of weed resistance right here in the Midwest.

Fortunately, there will soon be another “tool in the toolbox” to help fight weed resistance. Pending regulatory approvals, the Roundup Ready® Xtend Crop System is expected to be available to U.S. farmers for 2014 planting.

The Xtend Crop System is Monsanto’s newest Genuity® soybean trait that includes tolerance to dicamba herbicide. It will be stacked with the current Genuity® Roundup Ready 2 Soybean trait technology. Roundup Xtend is an enhanced dicamba and glyphosate herbicide premix that will help farmers manage weeds before planting and during the season as an over-the-top option.

Dual modes of action in Xtend will give farmers another choice for broad control of glyphosate-resistant and tough-to-control broadleaf weeds. And as the crop system’s name implies, it will extend application and planting flexibility. It also will extend the window for post-emergence applications.

We’re optimistic that Xtend will also help save glyphosate and extend the life of high-yielding Genuity Roundup Ready 2 Yield Soybeans. Diversity of tactics is key to consistent weed management and high crop yields, says ISU Extension Crop Weed Specialist Mike Owen. In a blog article, Dr. Owen says no single tactic will protect the potential crop yield nor deter the evolution of herbicide-resistant weed populations.

As farmers make plans for their 2012 soybean weed control programs, Seed-2-Soil® team lead Peter Bixel recommends using FULL rates of pre-emergence herbicides. Research shows that a pre-emergence herbicide applied before soybean planting reduced late-season waterhemp density by 97 percent! Click here for more information on how you can enhance your weed management program this season.

Team Latham

March 14, 2012

Agronomics, Crop, General, Herbicide Technology, Industry News, Soybeans, Weed Control
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Help Save Glyphosate
Glyphosate has been called the world’s greatest herbicide because its overwhelming use and acceptance has made it the most widely used product on the market today. Dr. Stephen Powles, world-renowned expert on weed resistance, takes it one step further by saying that glyphosate is to weed control in agriculture as penicillin is to disease and infection treatment in medicine. Both are considered miracle products and given the distinction of being a “once-in-a-100 year discovery.”

So what can be done to help preserve the use of this wonderful chemistry? According to many weed scientists in the Upper Midwest, there are some basic steps that every farmer should take to prevent the onslaught of glyphosate-resistant weeds:
- Know your weeds and know your fields. Closely monitor problem areas with tough-to-control weeds or what may be considered escapes or misses.
- Start with clean fields. Use tillage, residual herbicides and/or burndown applications of herbicides to control all emerged weeds before planting.
- Apply herbicides correctly. Proper application methods and rates are crucial to season-long control. The three most important factors are timing, timing and timing!
- Control weed escapes. Because of the long-term ramifications of this problem, farmers can no longer be satisfied with “economic thresholds” of weed control.
- Reduce the seed bank. Surviving weeds must not be allowed to set seed and thereby become the dominant weed species.
- Clean equipment. Prevent the spread of these resistant weeds at all cost.
No single tactic will protect the potential crop yield nor deter the evolution of herbicide-resistant weed populations, said ISU Extension Crop Weed Specialist Mike Owen, in a blog article he posted earlier this season. Be proactive and manage herbicide resistance before it becomes a major problem. Diversity of tactics is the key to consistent weed management and high crop yields.
Webspec Admin

July 28, 2011

General, Herbicide Technology, Industry News
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

New Thoughts on Old Weed Management Options
Make no mistake, the Roundup Ready system in both corn and soybeans is poosibly the greatest boon to farming over the past 20 years. Still, it was only a matter of time until nature would greet us with some form of resistance, as is happening now. Soybean farmers need to be vigilant when it comes to weed resistance to glyphosate herbicides like Roundup® and Glyphos™.

Ryegrass and marestail have been documented as exhibiting resistance to glyphosate and there is some strong evidence that waterhemp, common lambsquarter and giant ragweed are showing signs as well.

Let’s look at a few simple techniques that growers can start using right away in their soybean program to help minimize weed problems in this Roundup Ready era:
1. Start clean- Stay clean.
  By starting the growing season weed-free in your soybean field, you can help eliminate your reliance on glyphosate alone. If a farmer is no-tilling, the use of a proper burndown, consisting of more than just a glyphosate product, is essential. There is a wide range of burndown products that can be used with glyphosate or by themselves. If you plan to use tillage, then get rid of that temptation to just use glyphosate and add some other modes of action into the mix. The old “yellow” herbicides (Treflan, Prowl, etc.) are fairly reliable for grass control and will also help with many small-seeded broadleaves. Keep your fields clean by using the right rate of glyphosate at the right time. Also, don’t forget the cultivator. It might be time to drag out that old beast put it back to work. Better a little bit now than a lot later!
2. Right rate- Right time.
  The Roundup Ready system for both corn and soybeans might just work too well! For instance, the labeled rate for most annual weeds on the Roundup WeatherMAX label is 22 ounces/acre when the weeds are between 3″ and 6″ high. However, most farmers will tell you they have had great success using that rate for weeds up to twice that height and there lies the problem! We start to rely on a low rate of glyphosate to control weeds that are taller than the labeled height. Therefore, we are artificially selecting those weeds that have a tendency toward resistance just so we can tell our friends and neighbors that we only sprayed our soybean fields once and did it at the lowest rate possible. Don’t fall into that trap!
3. Rotate herbicide programs.
  Growers should use glyphosate crops in farming rotation where they have the greatest economic and management value. Rotating between glyphosate-tolerant crops and conventional crops or crops with other types of herbicide resistance (LibertyLink® for example) can help prevent weed resistance.
Make it a priority in 2009 and beyond to address weed resistance to glyphosate herbicides. It will definately benefit you in the long run. For more information on weed resistance issues, contact our Latham Seed2Soil® specialists, or leave us a question in the comment box below!
John Latham, President

March 20, 2009

Herbicide Technology, Industry News