Crop Watch, June 27, 2008: Harvest Aids in Small Grains<p>

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension, Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources

June 27, 2008

Harvest Aids in Small Grains

I have been getting calls on controlling weeds in small grains — particularly winter wheat and oats. At this point in the season the only option is to apply a herbicide to aid in harvest. These treatments help make the crop easier to harvest, but don’t reduce the loss caused when weeds compete with the growing crop for space, light, nutrients, and soil water. A harvest aid treatment can be applied too early which may be detrimental to grain quality.

Table 1 provides harvest aid treatments for winter wheat and oats. When planning applications, always be alert to potential herbicide drift problems.

Remember to check the pesticide label for the pre-harvest application interval. If you are not following the label instructions, you are in violation of the law.

Robert Klein
Extension Cropping Systems Specialist
West Central REC, North Platte

Table 1. Harvest aid treatments for small grains.

Herbicide

Rate/Acre

Application Time

Remarks and Approximate
Cost per Acre Broadcast

Winter Wheat

ALLY XP
+
2,4-D Amine (4L)

0.1 oz

0-25-0.50 pt

After dough
stage

Preharvest interval of 10 days. Add surfactant at 1 qt/100 gallons of spray solution. Cost: $1.80-$2.15

2,4-D Ester (4L)
or
Glyphosate

1 qt

1 qt

Hard dough, 7
or more days
before harvest

Rescue treatments for control of late broadleaf weeds. To reduce breakage with 2,4-D, all green color should be gone from joints. Only certain brands of 2,4-D are labeled for this use. Cost: 2,4-D $3.75; glyphosate $4.50

Oat Harvest

2,4-D Ester (4L)

1 qt

Hard dough, 7 or more days before harvest

Helps desiccate large broadleaf weeds. Only certain brands labeled for use. Cost: $3.75

© 2008 by the University of Nebraska Board of Regents. All rights reserved.

Published by University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension in the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources Cooperating with the counties and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln does not discriminate on the basis of gender, age, disability, race, color, religion, marital status, veteran's status, national or ethnic origin, or sexual orientation.

Table 1. Harvest aid treatments for small grains.
Herbicide	Rate/Acre	Application Time	Remarks and Approximate Cost per Acre Broadcast
Winter Wheat
ALLY XP + 2,4-D Amine (4L)	0.1 oz 0-25-0.50 pt	After dough stage	Preharvest interval of 10 days. Add surfactant at 1 qt/100 gallons of spray solution. Cost: $1.80-$2.15
2,4-D Ester (4L) or Glyphosate	1 qt 1 qt	Hard dough, 7 or more days before harvest	Rescue treatments for control of late broadleaf weeds. To reduce breakage with 2,4-D, all green color should be gone from joints. Only certain brands of 2,4-D are labeled for this use. Cost: 2,4-D $3.75; glyphosate $4.50
Oat Harvest
2,4-D Ester (4L)	1 qt	Hard dough, 7 or more days before harvest	Helps desiccate large broadleaf weeds. Only certain brands labeled for use. Cost: $3.75




© 2008 by the University of Nebraska Board of Regents. All rights reserved.
Published by University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension in the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources Cooperating with the counties and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln does not discriminate on the basis of gender, age, disability, race, color, religion, marital status, veteran's status, national or ethnic origin, or sexual orientation.