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Want A Premium Price? Weed Control In NON-GMO Soybeans

Nov 22, 2016
By Gared Shaffer
SDSU Extension Weeds Field Specialist
 
 
Many emotions set in on farmers that hear the word “non-GMO”, but it could help them in times like today when prices are low for many farm products in South Dakota. As some may already know, non-GMO soybeans are being contracted in South Dakota at Miller by the South Dakota soybean processors. What could this mean for producers? It may mean a niche market for soybean producers to make a little more per acre when higher crop prices are needed. Some markets suggest that non-GMO soybeans can fetch a dollar or more a bushel than GMO soybeans. The big question that comes to mind with non-GMO soybeans is weed control. Is it possible to continue to farm No-Till and plant non-GMO crops with resistant weeds growing in your fields? The answer is yes with a little more homework a producer can control weeds and keep your soil healthy!
 
Non-GMO Soybean Weed Management:
Necessary components
 
These management strategies are not uncommon even in GMO soybeans. The basics are the same. First we always need a weed free start at planting. This means, do not plant unless the weeds prior to planting are controlled. To give you some time for a post application and to give your soybeans a head start, make sure to apply a PRE-herbicide before planting. Then apply if needed a POST-herbicide application when weeds are less than four to six inches tall after soybean emergence which may be anytime between two to six weeks after soybean emergence.
 
Burndown Herbicide Options
 
I can’t stress this enough with any crop, but you need to start with a clean field before planting. To do this use a burndown herbicide that controls a broad spectrum of weeds such as glyphosate, paraquat, glufosinate (Liberty®) before or at planting. Other herbicides that may add in weed control could include 2,4-D ester and a metribuzin product.
 
PRE-Herbicide Options
 
The biggest decision here is to choose herbicides that will give you a window to control early weeds and give your beans a head start. Examples of herbicides that may give you the best control depending on what weed pressure you have, could include: Authority Assist®, Authority First®/Sonic®, Canopy®, Valor XLT®, Gangster®, Metribuzin, Python®, Scepter® and Valor®.
 
Post-Herbicide Options
 
It is best that weeds be controlled from two to four inches tall but never allow them to reach over six inches tall. Also use a spray volume of at least 15 gpa and nozzles that produce medium-sized droplets.
  • Flexstar® or Rhythm® + Select®, Fusion®, etc (grass herbicides) + COC or MSO + AMS
  • Other options could include FirstRate®, Classic® or Synchrony®. If applied with 28%, this may improve weed control but also increase crop injury.
  • If necessary for late emerging weeds apply Phoenix® or Cobra® three weeks later if troublesome broadleaf weeds exists, add a grass herbicide if late emerging grasses are a problem.
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