Burndown Options For Close To Planting Corn, Grain Sorghum And Soybean

Mar 27, 2015

By Larry Steckel, Extension Weed Specialist

A wet and mostly cold March has us well behind the pace for burndown. As soon as the weather permits corn planting will take priority followed by burndown for grain sorghum and early planted soybean.

What should my burndown strategy be for those crops with planting time upon us? In corn, a burndown at planting of Gramoxone + atrazine can be an effective choice. Another good option would be glyphosate + Verdict or Sharpen which should be both effective and allow for flexibility if the corn stand is lost and then replanted to soybean. The bottom line in corn is that even if some marestail recovers from the burndown application herbicides like Halex GT or Capreno spiked with either atrazine or Status have been very effective controlling large marestail in our research.

In the case of grain sorghum, please be aware that dicamba and 2,4-D can be used pre plant for burndown but not pre emergence. The reason for this is that rain can wash those herbicides into the planting slot and harm stand establishment.

In grain sorghum, a burndown at planting of Gramoxone can be an effective choice. Another good option would be glyphosate + Verdict or Sharpen which should be both effective and allow for flexibility if the grain sorghum stand is lost and then replanted to soybean. Marestail that survives burndown can be fairly easily controlled with Huskie spiked with atrazine.

Please note that herbicides we commonly use in corn like Princep and Status are not labeled in grain sorghum due to crop injury potential. Even atrazine should be used with caution pre emergence as some stand establishment problems have been documented. Post emergence atrazine applications are fine.

In the case of corn and grain sorghum it will be more critical to control Italian ryegrass than marestail before the crop emerges. In both crops there is no herbicide that can be applied post emergence that will control ryegrass. Sequential applications of Gramoxone separated by a week to 10 days can be an effective ryegrass option pre crop emergence. In corn Select Max can be applied 6 days before planting at 6 oz/A and when tankmixed with glyphosate has proven to be fairly effective. The plant back to grain sorghum from a Select Max application is 30 days.

In some cases where the plan is to plant some fields to soybean in early April, dicamba, which has been our “go to” glyphosate-resistant horseweed herbicide is no longer an option. Sharpen or Verdict would be a good new “go to” in these situations for soybean burndown.

Close to Soybean Planting Burndown Options

Sharpen 1 oz/A or Verdict 5 oz/A + Roundup PM 32 ozs/A

Management Considerations

Sharpen at rate of 1 oz/A can be applied right up to planting.
For large horseweed (>4”) consider increasing Sharpen rate to 1.5 oz/A or Verdict to 7.5 ozs/A and/or 1 pt of 2,4-D. – Plant back to soybean for higher rates of Sharpen or Verdict is 14 days; Plant back for soybean is 7 days after a pint of 2,4-D.

Clarity 8 ozs/A + Roundup PM 32 ozs/A

Management Considerations

Clarity rates of 8 ozs/A can be applied up to 14 days before planting and 1” of rainfall to avoid crop injury.

Gramoxone Inteon 40 to 48 ozs/A + 0.25% NIS + Sencor 4 ozs/A or Canopy

4 to 6 ozs/A or Boundary 20 ozs/A.

Management Considerations

This application can be applied right up to planting.
Gramoxone Inteon rates below 40 ozs/A will not provide as consistent control of horseweed as higher rates.
For larger horseweed (>6”) use 48 ozs/A of Gramoxone Inteon.

FirstRate 0.3 to 0.4 oz/A + Roundup PM 32oz/A

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Video: Why Seed Analysts are Thriving Under Seeds Canada

Last month in Edmonton, Alta., industry leaders and stakeholders gathered to discuss the evolving landscape of the seed industry at Seeds Canada’s annual conference. Among them was Sarah Foster, president of 2020 Seed Labs and the new vice-president of Seeds Canada.

Foster, who has been on the board of Seeds Canada for over a year, has witnessed firsthand the challenges and opportunities that come with the formation of the organization. Seeds Canada was established just over three years ago through the merger of multiple seed industry groups, including the Commercial Seed Analysts Association of Canada (CSAAC). Since then, the organization has been working to define its priorities and solidify its role in the industry.

“The challenge has been allowing the dust to settle after the merger,” Foster explained. “We’ve been focused on identifying what our priorities should be and ensuring that our members, especially the seed analysts, are getting what they need to continue their professional work.”

One of the recent highlights was a pre-conference event where the three major seed labs in Alberta — 20/20 Seed Labs, SGS Canada and Seed Check — opened their doors to members. The event saw a record number of seed analysts and business professionals in attendance. Foster emphasized the importance of this transparency, stating, “It’s crucial for people to see what goes on behind the scenes. We’re an open book now, and that openness helps build trust and understanding within the industry.”

The event also featured an environmental scan and a series of discussions that fostered strong communication among attendees. According to Foster, the dialogue was both encouraging and inspiring.

“A lot of people were really inspired by the fact that Seeds Canada is moving ahead with its agenda. The seed analysts, who have always worked diligently in the background, are now being recognized more prominently,” she said.

Before the merger, seed analysts were represented by CSAAC. Now, as part of Seeds Canada, they are finding their place within the larger organization. Foster believes that the integration has been successful, noting, “I think we’re thriving. You only need to look south of the border, where similar consolidations are happening.”

As Seeds Canada continues to evolve, Foster remains optimistic about the future. “I want to be totally transparent with anyone who is a seed analyst — I’ve got your back. We’re moving in a positive direction, and we’ll do everything we can to meet the needs of our members,” she said.