Neat, weed-free twin rows

Sep 02, 2021

Maize grown in twin rows with optimal allocation of growing space are the advantages of the LEMKEN Azurit precision seed drill and farmers wanting to use them to best effect need to be able to perform effective weed control across the full width. Modern technology made by Steketee is an ideal choice for treating DeltaRows effectively. Machines produced by this Dutch specialist for hoeing technology, which forms part of the LEMKEN Group, have been put to the test as part of a master’s thesis supervised by Prof. Dr. Bodo Mistele and Prof. Dr. Verena Haberlah-Korr at the University of Applied Sciences of South Westphalia. Mechanical weed control in maize was performed using a Steketee EC-Weeder equipped with finger hoes and harrows as hoeing tools. Ridging shares were additionally deployed to complete the pass.

Positive effects were confirmed in all variations of the trial. However, the harrow proved to be particularly effective for controlling weeds in the early growth stages, as it rips out and then buries weeds. With a precisely set Steketee hoe, weeds were very efficiently controlled from the time shoots are just emerging through to the cotyledon leaf stage. The maize plants withstood the mechanical load well even at the 3-leaf stage, resulting in very low crop losses. Compared to the finger hoe, the harrow had the benefit of also working on a section in between the twin rows.

Ridging around maize plants using ridging shares proved to be a highly effective step in combating larger weeds up to the 5 and 6-leaf stage. Depending on the operating speed, share width and condition of the soil, efficiencies of 85% and above were achieved as a result.

Conclusion: When equipped with the right tools, the Steketee EC-Weeder proves to be a highly effective hoeing machine for mechanical weed control in maize, even with DeltaRow twin rows. The smart camera system ensures reliable control at all stages of growth, as it can be set to twin row mode for young plants or single row mode for the final pass with large plants,

depending on crop height. Conventional farms additionally have the option to combine hoeing between the rows with band spraying in the rows.

Source : Lemken

Video: Dicamba Returns for Georgia Farmers: What the New EPA Ruling Means for Cotton Growers

After being unavailable in 2024 due to registration issues, dicamba products are returning for Georgia farmers this growing season — but under strict new conditions.

In this report from Tifton, Extension Weed Specialist Stanley Culpepper explains the updated EPA ruling, including new application limits, mandatory training requirements, and the need for a restricted use pesticide license. Among the key changes: a cap of two ½-pound applications per year and the required use of an approved volatility reduction agent with every application.

For Georgia cotton producers, the ruling is significant. According to Taylor Sills with the Georgia Cotton Commission, the vast majority of cotton planted in the state carries the dicamba-tolerant trait — meaning farmers had been paying for technology they couldn’t use.

While environmental groups have expressed concerns over spray drift, Georgia growers have reduced off-target pesticide movement by more than 91% over the past decade. Still, this two-year registration period will come with increased scrutiny, making stewardship and compliance more important than ever.