Posted: June 23, 2009

The AgTech Centre of Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development (ARD) in Lethbridge is hosting a field day focusing on research and technology, including crop protection technology Thursday June 25, 2009, from 9:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. Produces and others are welcome to attend.

Michael Bevans of ARD says demonstrations include new technology from equipment that allows producers to decide where to place the fertilizer in reference to the seed and at precise depths, to computer systems that can record what was seeded where and how.

The field day will give farmers the chance to see first-hand the effect of the different fertilizer placements relative to the seed placement on three different crops, barley, wheat and canola.

There will also be discussion on the documentation, record keeping and other capabilities of the latest software/technology such as yield results across an entire field, variable rate fertilizer application, variable rate pesticide application and moisture control technology for forage harvesters. For further information, contact the AgTech Centre, Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development, 403-329-1212. (Toll-free on the RITE line 310-000 in Alberta)

Posted: June 23, 2009

More growers are using pre-seed glyphosate with positive results. The practice typically works well to control annual weeds, including winter annuals, but that's where the expectations should stop, says Ed Thiessen, technical crop manager with Syngenta.

"At times there are perennial weeds present at the same time. Ones that come to mind are dandelions and quackgrass. We often get questions from applicators wondering why the pre-seed glyphosate didn't take care of these as well, but that's not what it's meant to do at this time of year."

The bottom line is, spring is not the best time to try and control perennials. "It certainly is for annuals, because they're very susceptible and usually small and easily controlled, but perennials have a big root mass underground."

Growers may even see a bit of top growth in the perennials, but that's about all. "Everything with the perennials at this time is geared to upward movement in the plant to produce top growth, whereas glyphosate to do a job needs to be moved down to get to the roots and rhizomes where it ultimately works the best."

Glyphosate may appear to be working well within a couple weeks, but the roots aren't affected and often the weed recovers.

"It may work reasonably well, particularly if you're seeding a little bit late and the perennials are more advanced, but don't think of it as a one-shot deal," says Thiessen. "You're still going to have to do something later if you have a real problem there. Certainly pre-harvest application is the real forte of glyphosate for these weeds."

If you have a decent perennial weed control from glyphosate from a pre-seed burndown, consider yourself lucky – it's more the exception than the rule. "Expecting to get the perennials with pre-seed application is at best an inconsistent approach. The message I always say is go back in crop or pre-harvest to really do the job."