The typical delayed planting spring did not occur this year. This is good news from a goosegrass management standpoint as it has cut down on the number of fields that crop scouts and producers find infested with large goosegrass. We are all well versed that there are few good answers when goosegrass gets big. Continue reading
A common weed question recently is how to control volunteer canola in double crop soybean. We do not have research on this “new” problem. Fortunately, my colleague, Dr. Joe Ikley of North Dakota State University, has good information on what herbicides work best. His research indicates that auxin herbicides like 2,4-D are rated poor for control of volunteer canola.
Fomesafen (Prefix, Reflex, Flexstar, etc.) is rated as excellent on volunteer canola control. This provides growers with an option that is readily available, relatively inexpensive and can provide residual pigweed control.
Liberty is also rated very high on volunteer canola. However, this will be incorrect if the volunteer canola is a Liberty Link variety.
JACKSON, Tenn. – The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture will host the annual Weed Tour June 17 at the West Tennessee AgResearch and Education Center. The guided tour will feature 40 weed management research tests in cotton, corn and soybean.
Weed Tour runs from 9 – 11:30 a.m., with registration opening at 8:30 a.m. A light breakfast will be served. Continue reading
UT’s Soybean Scout Schools will be held in June and July (see details below). These field-side programs cover the basics of soybean growth, scouting, pest identification, and general management. Pesticide recertification and CCA CEU points will be available. Scout Schools are offered free of charge with sponsorship from the Tennessee Soybean Promotion Board. Registration is not required. Participants will receive a scouting notebook and a sweep net while supplies last.
West TN – Lake County, June 24th, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM. This school will be held at 300 Headden Drive Ridgely, TN 38080. Signs will be up to direct you to the field. Contact Charlie Jo Archie for more information. 731-592-9899, chasarch@utk.edu. Please RSVP by June 21st.
West TN – McNairy County, July 15th, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM. This school will be held in McNairy County (address forthcoming). Signs will be up to direct you to the field. Contact Jon Williams for more information. 731-645-3598, johdwill@utk.edu.
Middle TN – Cannon County, July 16th, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM. This school will be held in Cannon County (address forthcoming). Signs will be up to direct you to the field. Contact Jared Franklin for more information. 615-563-2554, jfrank57@utk.edu.
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
The UT Cotton Scout School is scheduled for Wednesday, May 20th, at the West Tennessee Research and Education Center (605 Airways Blvd, Jackson). There is no fee, and preregistration is not required. Registration begins at 8:00 AM with the program starting at 8:30. Pesticide points in categories 1, 4, 10 and 12 will be offered and a BBQ lunch will be provided. Content will include classroom and hands-on training with an optional go-to-the-field session after lunch. Topics covered will include cotton development and identification and symptoms of insect pests, plant diseases, and weeds. Contact Sebe Brown (318)-498-1283, sbrow175@utk.edu with questions.
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