March 16, 2007

Eliminating broadleaf weeds in winter wheat gives producers a head start on the next season's crop.

If you're going to plant ecofallow corn, sunflower, proso millet or skip-row corn next year, weed control is especially important now. After harvest, only grassy weeds or volunteer wheat should be found, said Robert Klein, Extension cropping systems specialist at UNL's West Central Research and Extension Center in North Platte. Those weeds can be easily controlled with an application of glyphosate after harvest and the producer can wait until fall to apply the atrazine, plus a contact or burn-down herbicide, if needed, he said.

Broadleaf weeds cut off by the combine are especially hard to control because the herbicides have little vegetation to cover with most of the leaves removed.

Klein advised checking wheat fields and considering a herbicide application even if there are few weeds in the spring. What appears as only a low level of weed infestation can develop into a major problem when the weeds get bigger. Application of a herbicide labeled for winter wheat when weeds are small will allow for application of the lowest labeled amount, while still achieving good control.

Klein urged care, though, in selecting herbicides that won't affect the following crop. He advised checking each herbicide's crop rotational restrictions.

Klein also said producers should not combine fertilizer and herbicide applications. Producers should fertilize as early as possible in the spring and if liquids are used, apply them with nozzle tips or bars that produce streams, Klein said. Herbicide application should wait until weeds appear.

Faith Colburn
Communication Specialist
Robert Klein
Extension Cropping Systems Specialist
Both at the West Central REC, North Platte