Fate of Soil Applied Herbicides in No-Till

May 19, 2017

By Gared Shaffer

Soil-Applied Herbicides: No-Till Considerations

Most soil-applied herbicides are stable under longer than desired periods of weather with no adequate moisture and not broken down by UV sunlight. Those herbicides in the site of action group (SOA) 8 (butylate, cycloate, triallate) and SOA 3 (trifluralin, ethalfuralin, pendimethalin) are volatile and susceptible to degradation by UV light. In no-till, these herbicides are not widely used because of the need for mechanical pre-plant incorporation. S-metolachlor has been found to be broken down by sunlight but other herbicides in the same family are not (dimethenamid-P, acetochlor).

Activation & Longevity

If we look at the most-common soil applied herbicides used in no-till they may remain on the soil surface for an extended period of time. These herbicides start working at the moment of activation with water (rain or irrigation). The herbicides then move into the weed seed germinating section of the soil profile, acting on the weed seeds germinating at that time. A half an inch to over an inch of water is good to have for activation depending on the herbicide. If weeds germinate before herbicide activation occurs, then the weeds may not be terminated by the herbicide.

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Video: Agriculture Secretary Rollins Speaks at American Farm Bureau Federation Convention in Anaheim

One of the highlights at the 2026 American Farm Bureau Federation Convention in Anaheim, California, was an address by U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins. During her remarks, she thanked America’s farmers and ranchers and said the Trump Administration is fully aware that food security is national security.

She also acknowledged the challenging times in Farm Country with low commodity prices and high input costs and said that’s why the President stepped in to help with the recent Bridge Assistance Program.

Montana Farm Bureau Federation Executive Vice President Scott Kulbeck says that Farm Bureau members are appreciative of the help and looks forward to working with the American Farm Bureau Federation and its presence in Washington, DC to keep farmers and ranchers in business.

Secretary Rollins said the Trump Administration is also committed to helping ranchers build back America’s cattle herd while also providing more high-quality U.S. beef at the meat case for consumers.

And she also announced more assistance for specialty crop producers who only received a fraction of the $12 billion Farmer Bridge Assistance (FBA).

It’s important to note that producers who qualify for Farmer Bridge Assistance can expect the Farm Service Agency to start issuing payments in late February. For more information, farmers and ranchers are encouraged to contact their local USDA Service Center.