One topic that has been on the main burner this year will be the ability to utilize the Roundup Ready 2 Xtend® platform to the full potential this growing season. There’s also quite a bit of discussion around the Liberty Link® platform and the future Enlist™ and Balance™ platforms. One of the great advantages that Legend Seed’s offers our customers is: choice. As an independent seed company, we can offer all technology platforms to you in one place. This way, you can do what’s best for each field.

By using a good pre-emerge herbicide we can reduce the weed pressure of tough weeds from the start of the season and take pressure off the new technologies and increase their longevity. Here’s a collection of the unique resistance issues that our Agronomy Team experiences as they travel their territories helping our dealers and growers:

Iowa: “Weed resistance has become an unwinnable battle. Glyphosate resistance is seen with common water hemp, giant ragweed, pigweed, kochia, and lamb’s quarters.” said Mike Knight.

Minnesota: “We have seen documented cases of glyphosate resistant waterhemp and giant ragweed has also been on the rise,” said Dale Viktora.

Nebraska: “Waterhemp, marestail, and pigweed would be the big three that we are facing resistance issues with,” said Dave Olson.

North Dakota: “In north-central North Dakota over the last two or three years the occurrence of glyphosate resistant kochia has increased substantially. Common ragweed is also becoming a tough weed in the south-eastern part of the state,” said Mike Tofsrud.

South Dakota: “We have glyphosate resistant kochia expanding from the north and central parts of the state. We also deal with glyphosate resistant waterhemp across the eastern portion of the state. There are areas in the southeast that deal with giant ragweed and pockets of resistant marestail in no-till areas throughout the state,” said Sean McGraw.

Wisconsin and Michigan: “Pre-emerge programs are becoming more common with the spread of glyphosate resistant weeds and the exceedingly fast infestation of the tall waterhemp species that is resistant to multiple modes of action of several herbicides. It will be increasingly important to use all the tools and technologies available,” said Dan Matzek.

Chemical Product Suggestions

There are many different products out there in the marketplace I will list a few of my preferred choices. These products need to be applied before crop is emerged.

1. Authority MTZ® - Combination product of Spartan and Metribuzin. In my area of the state this is a very good product on Kochia and good on Common Ragweed and Waterhemp, while the rotation restriction to canola is 24 months while Authority Assist is 40 months. Labeled rate is 12-15 ounces.
2. Authority® Assist - Combination of Spartan and Pursuit. Very good on Kochia as well, good on waterhemp, but not as good on common ragweed as Authority MTZ. Label rates 6 to 9 fluid ounces. Longer rotation restrictions on certain crops due to the Pursuit.
3. Zidua® Pro - Three modes of action. New product but looks to be very good and low use rate of 4.5 ounces per acre.

These are just a few products on the market. There are many others as well that do a very good job, but are not quite as broad spectrum. If we utilize a good pre-emerge program, we will be able to preserve our new soybean platforms longer. Cleaner fields equal higher yields. The agronomists at Legend Seeds are available to answer any questions and help customize a strong herbicide program to get your Legend Seeds numbers off to the best start as possible!