March 14, 2017
Weed Resistance Series
Finding Value in Pre- and Post-Emerge Soybean Herbicides
Soybean weed management becomes more challenging as weed resistance increases. The questions then arise: Pre-emerge? Post-emerge? Both? Kevin Carlson, Federated's senior agronomist, said that even when a post-emerge treatment seems to be working, "there's value in the pre."
 
Yes, it costs more to apply both a pre-emerge and a post-emerge herbicide (and there's no argument about post). But, Carlson said, "The value [of pre-emerge herbicides] is found when comparing the best pre programs that work really well with the post alone programs . . . especially when dealing with weed resistance."
 
In herbicide trials conducted by the University of Minnesota last season (click here to see evaluation summary chart), combinations of pre-emerge followed by post-emerge herbicides demonstrated significant yield response. On average, those programs saw a 4-5 bu./ac. increase in yields (some were even higher).

soybeans in August
The trial, which used a weedy check (no herbicides or weed control of any kind) and a weed-free check (hand weeded with no herbicides) showed a 50% yield loss in the weedy check, and a 65% yield gain in the weed-free check. A number of the pre followed by post herbicide trials showed gains that matched or exceeded the yields of the weed-free check (see highlighted areas of this chart ) .
 
It boils down to this, Carlson explained: The cost of a complete herbicide program that includes both pre- and post-emerge herbicide applications is offset by the improved yield potential. The benefit is found in a solid return on investment.
 
"Start clean, stay clean," said Carlson. "Control weeds before they emerge or soon after to preserve yield potential." Plus, in a world of increasing weed resistance, a pre followed by post program can help manage the toughest weeds, such as waterhemp and giant ragweed.
 
"We have lots of options," he said (see article at right on one option, Flexstar GT®). Federated Agronomists are ready to help you find the right combination of products for your soybean weed management program. Contact your agronomist soon!
 
Be sure to attend a Soybean Grower Workshop (see info at right) where this will be a key topic.

annual meeting 2017
Be sure to note the new meeting location. 
Click on image to open and view the details.
Seed Treatment: Good Insurance
seed treatment facility
"Seed treatments are a great insurance policy to growers," said Cody Lezer, central warehouse manager at Federated's Ogilvie location, and Federated has a new "state of the art automated KSI seed treating facility in Ogilvie."
 
Seed is expensive, and protecting that investment is made easier with high-quality seed treatments that are relatively inexpensive and that "protect seed from issues that arise throughout the growing season," said Lezer.
 
"Seed treatments help plants from Day 1, and can improve stand counts and promote better root growth to help plants find nutrients," he said.
 
Federated offers CruiserMaxx with Vibrance, as well as Clariva Complete seed treatments.
  • CruiserMaxx helps protect seeds from above- and below-ground insects as well as seed- and soil-borne diseases.
  • Vibrance offers a fungicide component that enhances root health and improves the potential for larger root mass.
  • Clariva Complete leads the way in seed treatment to combat soybean cyst nematodes (SCN).
seed treatment bins
Choose either the CruiserMaxx/Vibrance treatment or the Clariva Complete treatment to provide the best insurance 
against disease and insects (see fact sheet ) .

Federated's Ogilvie bulk seed storage bins -- installed in 2016 -- store up to 14,000 units of soybeans, all of which are ready for treatment based on grower need.  Contact your Federated Agronomist soon to place your seed treatment orders.
In This Issue
Quick Links
Soybean
Grower Workshops Next Week
Federated's Annual Soybean Grower Workshops begin later this month and will focus on how to simplify and find value in soybean herbicide programs, and manage weed resistance.
 
The workshops will:
  • Summarize soybean traits and herbicide programs;
  • Explain the differences between seed traits and herbicides in the trait packages, including: 2,4-D tolerant soybeans,
    Dicamba tolerant soybeans, and Liberty Link® tolerant soybeans.
RSVP soon to your local Federated Agronomist. Workshops begin at 10 a.m. and conclude with lunch.
 
Mon., March 20 - Osceola

Tues., March 21 - Albertville

Wed., March 22 - Ogilvie

Thurs., March 23 - Rush City

Fri., March 24 - Isanti 
When Glyphosate Falls Short...
The fight against herbicide-resistant weeds in soybeans gets help from Flexstar® GT 3.5 herbicide, a Syngenta product. Flexstar GT 3.5 is formulated to "combat weeds that are difficult to control with glyphosate alone or are resistant to glyphosate and ALS-inhibitors" (see fact sheet) with two active ingredients and two modes of action.
 
"Flexstar GT 3.5 is one of the few post-emerge products that has good activity on resistant weeds, such as waterhemp and giant ragweed," said Kevin Carlson, Federated's senior agronomist, adding that "it really needs to be set up with a good pre-emerge herbicide" (see article above).
 
Dale Hecht of Syngenta recommended Boundary® 6.5 EC herbicide as a solid pre-emerge herbicide choice to pair with Flexstar GT 3.5 post emerge to give "full season attention" (see fact sheet) to the most resistant weeds in soybeans. Boundary 6.5 EC (also with two modes of action) helps control early season grass and broadleaves, and also fits well in a resistance management program.
 
Boundary 6.5 EC followed by Flexstar GT 3.5 couples with the Liberty Link® soybean system to add both plant growth and yield potential. Hecht noted that adding 1 pt./ac. of Dual with the Flexstar GT 3.5 post application can further boost residual control.

Talk to your Federated Agronomist to learn more about pre- and post-emerge herbicide options for your soybean fields this year.

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