Application

The eastern Corn Belt's early corn crop has started to – and so have the weeds. So now is the time for growers to consider postemergence herbicide applications, says Travis Legleiter, a Purdue Extension weed specialist. In the northern part of the Corn Belt, some of the crop is as far along as the V3, or third leaf, growth stage. Development is even further along in some fields in the southern part of the region. That means corn farmers need to prepare to apply the right postemergence herbicide at the right time, likely within the next few weeks....More

The rapid pace of planting in late April followed by rain has resulted in many fields having emerged corn before pre-emergence herbicide and nitrogen applications have been completed. Of particular concern are no-till fields where planting was completed prior to killing emerged weeds....More

"The smaller the weed, the better," says University of Illinois Associate Professor of Weed Science Aaron Hager. Proper timing of the application of postemergence herbicides provides the corn crop with the best opportunity to express its full genetic yield potential. Allowing weeds to compete with the crop for too long reduces its seed yield. Yield losses can accumulate very rapidly, and the associated costs can far exceed the cost of an integrated weed management program that includes a properly timed application of a postemergence herbicide....More