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WHAT'S NEW WITH BAYER CROPSCIENCE PRODUCTS

the non-negotiables of weed management

n addition to his Bachelors Degree in Agronomy, Jeff Stachler has both a Masters and PhD in Weed Science, making him one of the most prominent weed specialists in the U.S. As an advocate for practicing solid resistance management strategies, Dr. Stachler has been preaching the dangers of herbicide

resistance in his home country for over a decade and now believes that Canada has the unique opportunity to show the rest of the world how to avoid what he calls the current “U.S. resistance disaster.” “Canada has the chance to show the rest of the world how it has to be done. So

far we’ve failed in the U.S., but Canada can succeed.” Stachler reports. Stachler outlines best agronomic practices in what could be considered his manifesto, Stachler’s Non-Negotiables of Weed Management. In eight easy-to-follow points, he provides the framework for effective weed control and resistance management.

STACHLER’S Non-Negotiables of Weed Management  Practice perimeter weed management

• Leave a 1m weed-free zone around all crop edges, including wet spots (i.e. mow down weeds along field boundaries)  Practice ZERO tolerance

• Allow NO weed(s) to reproduce (no seed production) • Remove/destroy surviving plants by hand (cheaper and more effective vs. the cost of additional herbicides and applications, and the price of resistance)  Scout fields

• Before planting • Before crop emergence • Before 1st post-emergence application • 5-14 days after each post emergence application • Observe response of individual plants • Scout field whenever weeds start to flower  Diversify weed management strategies • Cultural practices - Crop rotation - Delay planting in weediest fields - Maximize crop density and minimize the time to canopy closure - Maintain soil health/fertility for your crop • Rotate herbicide sites (modes) of action - As often as possible (at least once every two years) • Rotate herbicide-resistant/tolerant crops - At least once every two years • Where possible, apply soil-applied herbicides to all crops - Allows flexibility for timing post application - Adjust rates for soil types

FARM FORUM / SPRING 2013

 Start clean

• No-tillage – Apply a non-selective herbicide in a pre-burn application or utilize a cover crop • Conventional/reduced tillage – Till early/ deep enough to remove annual weeds, if not, apply non-selective herbicide prior to crop emergence  Understand weed biology

• Take advantage of the key vulnerabilities of each species - Target specific problem weeds and resistant species • The impact of leaving one weed behind - 1 year seeding = 7 years weeding • Understand weed seed dispersal/movement - Based on a 25% emergence rate, a 10% chance of inheriting the same resistance mutation and the same MOA used year over year – one wild oat plant produces the following: (Year/Resistant wild oat plants), Y1=1, Y2=5, Y3=125, Y4=625, Y5=Over 3,000 - Means of weed seed dispersal include water, machinery, wind or other carrier (human, animals, birds)  Respond quickly to a changing weed

population • When just a few weeds escape a herbicide application, consider that the herbicide program is broken and needs to be fixed to prevent a disaster • Don’t always blame the weather as the main cause of herbicide misses (genetics can account for up to 50% of the problem)

 Maximize herbicide activity • Choose the most effective herbicide(s) for the most difficult weeds (know the mode of action/herbicide group numbers and understand how herbicides work) • Combine multiple modes of action that target the same weed whenever possible - Each individual active ingredient within the mix must provide effective control of the target species • Apply post-emergence herbicides to small <3” annual weeds • Use full labelled rates of herbicides - Must follow when using post-emergence herbicides • Include the most effective adjuvant(s) for ALL herbicides - Follow recommended rates for adjuvants as specified on product labels. • Use correct spray volume (follow label directions) • Use correct droplet size - Droplet size can vary between contact herbicides and translocating herbicides, always consult product label for correct droplet size • Use 15” nozzle spacing • Reduce sprayer travel speeds to10km/hr • Apply during the best weather conditions - Warm, humid, and sunny conditions - Avoid spraying in cool conditions (<3°C) - Maximize rain-fastness interval • Time of day (several herbicides are less effective when sprayed after 9:00 PM and until 8:00 AM)

A NEWSLETTER FROM BAYER CROPSCIENCE

Zeroing in on payback

The Demonstration Strip Trial fungicide map from Bayer CropScience shows how it pays to spray

ant to know what you can save in yield and quality by applying a fungicide to protect your cereal crop? The online Demonstration Strip Trial (DST) fungicide map is here to help. Simply visit BayerCropScience.ca/ItPaysToSpray. The map was designed with grower convenience in mind. It provides a simple way to navigate and view individual trials or multi-year summary results from dozens of locations across western Canada. The results go five years back and show how different cereal crops performed at each trial location, each year, with and without a fungicide treatment. You can see exactly what the yield and quality differences were, to get a clear picture of the positive results growers experience when they apply a leading fungicide such as Prosaro or Folicur EW.

shown on the map to view individual trial results. The information includes features such as “Agronomist’s Summary” with expert analysis, “Yield Comparison” bar graphs comparing results and “See What Grower’s Say” comments from real growers, along with treatment details on the specific fungicide products, application rates and timing. Everything is at your fingertips, with quick-scan menus and scroll-down options to select the information you want to view. All geared to help you make an informed decision. Try it today.

Keeping it real. All DSTs are managed by actual growers, using their own equipment and agronomic practices, with the help of Bayer CropScience specialists to ensure the appropriate fungicide application. The goal is to replicate real growing conditions and mirror the circumstances that growers face every day.

“DST results show timely fungicide application is one of the most reliable and powerful tools growers have to protect their cereal crops and ensure a strong ROI” Easy to use, lots of features

The map offers several multi-view options and features. Begin by selecting your crop, choosing among options for wheat, barley or oats. You can then choose to view summary results for Alberta, Saskatchewan or Manitoba, or a regional summary for western Canada. Growers can also click on any of the trial locations

Select a DST location nearest to your farm to view results you can expect with your crop

BayerCropScience.ca or 1 888-283-6847 or contact your Bayer CropScience representative. Always read and follow label directions. InVigor®, Liberty®, LibertyLink®, Proline® and TraitGuard™ are trademarks of the Bayer Group. Bayer CropScience is a member of CropLife Canada.

FARMFORUM.CA / SPRING 2013

TO SPRAY

No visible disease present

Leaf disease on upper leaves and/or flag leaf

AD TIMING HE

EAF TIM I

L AG

The only time you shouldn’t spray is when you have a poor looking crop and you are not in a fusarium head blight (FHB) area.

If your crop doesn’t look good, but you are in an FHB area, a fungicide application can still pay for itself and safeguard the yield and quality of your grain. Do some calculations and if your potential disease risk and ROI exceed the cost of application – you should protect your crop with a fungicide.

If your crop looks good, you will definitely want to protect your investment with a fungicide application. Which product will provide the most bang for your buck? It depends on crop staging, current disease pressure and potential disease risks. Here is a quick chart to help make your fungicide decision easier.

Leaf disease only (lower to mid leaves)

Leaf disease only

Leaf disease only (lower to mid leaves)

Leaf disease only

To see how it pays to spray in your area, visit BayerCropScience.ca/ItPaystoSpray BayerCropScience.ca/ItPaystoSpray or 1 888-283-6847 or contact your Bayer CropScience representative. Always read and follow label directions. Folicur® and Prosaro® are registered trademarks of the Bayer Group. Bayer CropScience is a member of CropLife Canada.

NOT TO SPRAY FHB AREA

WHAT SHOULD YOU SPRAY ?

Even when you can’t see disease symptoms, there is no such thing as a disease-free crop. A good crop is worth protecting - consider spraying an application of Folicur ® EW or Prosaro® applied at head timing to help ensure top grade, quality and yield.

YES

There is no such thing as a disease-free crop. Even in the absence of disease symptoms, the mere fact that you are in an FHB area means you need to protect your crop. Apply Prosaro at head timing.

Leaf disease damage to upper leaves or the flag leaf can cause irreparable injury to your crop and immediate action is required. Spray Folicur EW and re-assess at head timing to determine whether a second fungicide application is required.

YES

Spray Folicur EW and re-assess at head timing to determine whether a second fungicide application is required.

When leaf disease is limited to lower/mid leaves at flag leaf timing, the damage is negligible. Re-assess at head timing and if you still only see leaf disease you can spray either Folicur EW or Prosaro.

YES

Whenever you are in an FHB area, you should spray Prosaro. However, if leaf disease is limited to the lower/mid leaves you have the ability to make your Prosaro application at head timing to cover both leaf disease and FHB.

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