Palmer amaranth remains one of the most difficult weeds to manage, and when pigweed escapes preemergence control, postemergence decisions can quickly turn into a kitchen sink approach where multiple products are added to the tank. Because postemergence options depend on the crop system and trait technology, we evaluated a wide range of postemergence programs in 2025 to better understand overall control trends. Continue reading
We are 4 weeks early for the typical POST herbicide application window. These applications need to be effective and steward well. In fact stewardship of the herbicides used in those applications is critical. Crops injured by off-target herbicides were numerous last year. While many think about either dicamba or 2,4-D for off-target concerns, last year clethodim drift on corn was the most widely reported issue across the state. Continue reading
Ryegrass continues to persist in too many fields. Often the ryegrass in these fields has escaped both glyphosate and clethodim (Picture 1). In fields like this we typically will just have to live with ryegrass over the next 4 weeks as it completes maturity and goes to seed. Some have asked what can they spray? Liberty is really the last best option applied on a hot day to help speed up the ryegrass maturity process. Continue reading
I never thought by mid-April that corn in some fields would have grown to the point it is not safe to apply a pint of dicamba (>5”) yet here we are. The forecast suggests next week will not be a good spray week so time will be short that other herbicides can be applied safely to corn over the top. Continue reading
No-till without paraquat? That may be a possibility. Syngenta announced they will stop producing Gramoxone in June. This will leave only the companies that sell the generic paraquats to fill the demand. Will those companies be willing to take on the lawsuits to continue to sell a low margin herbicide? Maybe. Beyond that, the probability one of those companies in a few years will take the lead on re-registration with the EPA is low. All that would suggest that the time span paraquat is available could be as short as just a few years. If so, we need to have a Plan B to replace this herbicide in Tennessee over the next couple years. This will be the emphasis of some of our research this year. Continue reading
There was a significant emergence of ryegrass during the middle of March in many fields (Picture 1). This coupled with all the early planting has led to fields infested with ryegrass along with emerged corn or soybean. Continue reading
This planting season is off to a very early and quick start. At the current pace many acres will be planted by Easter Sunday. The questions continue to be on how to contend with ryegrass. Continue reading
Planting is well underway! Unfortunately, ryegrass is still present in some fields. Our research has shown this spring that tankmixes of clethodim + glyphosate (Picture 1), Sharpen + glyphosate and Reviton + glyphosate have been the most consistent ryegrass options. Continue reading