b'Cost Considerations Digging DeeperExperts understand weed management7-10% Its also important for growers to work is a considerable input cost for growers. is the amount a midwesternwith other experts to identify and On average a Midwestern corn farmercorn farmer spends of understand the main weed species to be spends 7-10% of their yearly productiontheir yearly production controlled in a specific field.costs on weed management, so investingcosts on weed We need to understand what meth-just a couple of percent more each yearmanagement ods of control fit best for the weeds that will pay off for both near-term and long- are prevalent in the given geography and term weed management sustainability,recognize what chemistries and control Gesse says.methods are most effective on the weeds Jha says herbicide costs havewith the least amount of environmental increased significantlywhen addingimpact, Richmond says.cereal rye as a cover crop, costs averageIts not enough to just know what you around $20-30 an acre. did last year, or what your neighbor does.From an economic standpoint, someWilliams says the chances for success-of the strategies make a lot of sense asful weed management over the long-term well, Jha says.is improved when we understand how However, replacing equipment to$20-30/acre weeds work as organisms on the farm. accommodate reducing row spacing,is the amount of herbicide costs inThe idea is to know enough about the or to add harvest weed seed controltandem with a cereal rye cover crop. important weed species to exploit their (HWSC) measures such as chaff liningindividual weaknesses. or weed seed destruction, is an invest- The main thing we need for sustain-ment, and one that can be difficult to seeable weed control is to recognize that returns in the first year.weeds are plants that are adaptive to our Sustainability is typically a secondarydisturbed crop environments. To throw factor, following cost.them off balance and keep them off bal-The new herbicides on the marketable impact on your farm, he says. ance, we need a bag of tricks, he says.with reduced rates, multiple modes ofIts important to not get discouraged.Richmond also believes the industry action and increased efficacy often takeAs with implementing any newneeds to continue to define with success-a back seat to cheaper off-patent genericpractice or practices, there is a learningful sustainability means. chemistry, Richmond says.curve. I would encourage growers to seekA win to me is a reduction in overall Its important to keep the long-termadvice from other growers and experts insoil disturbance and erosion, meaning a goals in mind. Jha believes a multitacticalthese practices, Gesse agrees. reduction in overall tillage with a reduc-approach may not pay you returns in theMany state extension programs are antion in fuel use and expense, as well as first or second year, but you are reducingexcellent source of research-based infor- reduced use of overall pounds of herbi-the overall seed bank, and eventually, youllmation for using herbicides effectively,cide on the acre, Richmond says. see lower costs of application for along with other weed control measures. That might look like increased adop-herbicides.Growers can look to their local exten- tion of see and spray technology or the sion agents, universities, crop consultants,use of improved herbicide technology Realistic Resultslocal retailers and grower organizations forwith multiple modes of action; or residual Williams suggests thinking about weedsinformation on how to create sustainableherbicides that reduce the number of as organisms with a life cycle. They haveweed management systems, Gesse says. applications and emerging weeds.births in the seed production phase; andA new resource is GROW: GettingSeedlings killed with soil residual deaths, which could be related to a deathRid of Weeds Through Integrated Weedherbicide are easier to kill than emerged of a seed, a seedling, or larger plants. Management, which is a publicly-ledweeds, reducing the chances of weeds The win of a sustainable weed controlnetwork of scientists conducting researchbecoming resistant to contact herbi-program is when we reach a higher deathand outreach to provide science-basedcides, Richmond says. rate and lower birth rate so that theinformation and decision tools on weedA sustainable weed control plan is one density of weed populations are low andmanagement. that allows the grower to be profitable remain there over time, Williams says. Their effort is useful regardless ofwhile also protecting future yield potential Vincent also encourages growers tomanagement philosophy, from organicof the land, Geese says. remember they are innovators by nature,production to conventional productionTo Vincent, sustainability is about always problem-solving to find the bestagriculture. The common theme is anmore than this seasons harvest. solution for their operation.information intensive approach and aExecuting a sustainable weed control Try what you are comfortable withdiversity of tactics to keep weeds off bal- plan is an investment in the future of ones and what you believe will have a notice- ance, Williams says.operation and legacy, he says.SW48/ SEEDWORLD.COMJUNE 2022'