SPRING 2017 www.pasoybean.org Herbicides for Roundup Ready 2 Xtend Soybeans Approved Pennsylvania Soybean Board HARRISBURG, Pa. — Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture approved should not be allowed to remain in the soybean farmers have a new weapon in Xtendimax, Engenia and FeXapan for tank overnight, and a triple rinse, filled to their fight against the spread of marestail Xtend soybeans in Pennsylvania. at least 10-20% of spray tank capacity LEARN MORE and other glyphosate resistant weeds. Lingenfelter says Penn State’s Weed and using a commercial sprayer cleaner Glyphosate-resistant marestail and The Pennsylvania Department of Agricul- Science group sees potential benefit of containing strong detergents, is needed to invasive pigweeds have become ture has approved the use of the new these products as a burndown because clean all system parts. a significant pest management prob- Xtendimax with VaporGrip Technology, it’s generally applied in April or May The Xtendimax and Engenia labels lem for no-till soybean producers in Engenia and FeXapan plus VaporGrip before susceptible vegetation and air tem- for use on Xtend soybeans are conditional, Pennsylvania. Technology formulations of dicamba to peratures become problematic. In-crop, 2-year supplemental labels. “They can be Dwight Lingenfelter and other help control glyphosate and PPO-resistant the weeds must be controlled before they prolonged if there are few or minimal weeds specialists from Penn State weeds in Xtend soybeans in 2017. exceed 4 inches in height. However, problems in the first two years, but if have been presenting educational “We see this as an opportunity for post-emergence application is a particular significant problems arise, they can be seminars at conferences, grower marestail control in burndown programs,” concern for Pennsylvania growers due to revoked,” says Lingenfelter. “That’s why days, and other events throughout says Dwight Lingenfelter, Penn State the potential for non-target injury. it’s critical for applicators who use these the state. Weed Science Specialist. However, he “Off-target spray drift to other crops is products to carefully follow all labeling The Pennsylvania Soybean Board cautions, there are very strict and specific a significant concern,” says Lingenfelter. instructions. We are encouraging slow has approved a checkoff-funded measures farmers need to take. Illegal “In order to reduce drift and the other targeted adoption and look forward to project to help support their efforts off-label applications in a number of negative impacts to non-target areas, these learning from the experiences of other in educating producers on best man- states last year led to reports of crop labels and associated websites (see below) states and regions that need this technol- agement practices for prevention and injury, some severe. list what herbicides can be tank-mixed ogy more.” management of herbicide resistant Xtend soybeans were developed by with these products. Other guidelines Lingenfelter reminds farmers to weeds, including proactive monitor- Monsanto to allow pre or post applica- include prescribed nozzle types, boom always read and follow pesticide label ing programs, use of herbicide tions of dicamba (the active ingredient in heights, sprayer speed and wind speed directions. It is a violation of Federal programs that include multiple Clarity) on soybeans. These varieties are limits. Also, depending on the landscape and state law to use any pesticide modes of action and adoption of also stacked with the Roundup Ready setting, field buffers must be included if product in a manner inconsistent with its integrated weed management trait. Roundup Ready 2 Xtend soybeans susceptible crops are present and labeling. Guidelines for using Xtendimax, strategies. (dicamba-tolerant) were deregulated and downwind at the time of application. The Engenia and FeXapan can change periodi- approved in 2015 and received export application cannot occur if wind is cally as new information is acquired. Check with your county approval in 2016. In November 2016, the blowing in the direction of specific crops Refer to their labels and websites for Extension educator for more EPA registered the dicamba product such as tomatoes, vine crops, grapes, and additional information and updates information or online for Xtendimax (DGA salt) with VaporGrip others. The applicator is responsible for online by Monsanto at www.xtendimax Palmer amaranth and Technology for weed control in Xtend any drift of these products to off-target applicationrequirements.com, waterhemp at soybeans. BASF’s Engenia (BAPMA salt) sites, so if you can’t follow all of the by BASF at www.engeniatankmix.com, http://extension.psu.edu/pests/ received federal approval in December, guidelines, do not use it.” and by DuPont at weeds/palmer-amaranth. and DuPont received federal approval for Tank contamination can also play a www.fexapanapplicationrequirements. FeXapan (DGA salt) plus VaporGrip in role in off-target movement, so tank dupont.com February. In February, the Pennsylvania cleanout is critical. The spray solution Aim for Higher-Yielding Double-Cropped Soybeans Pennsylvania Soybean Board REDUCING SPRAY DRIFT HARRISBURG, Pa. — After harvesting small grains, such as wheat, many U.S. soybean farmers opt to plant soybeans into the just-emptied field. In collaboration with researchers in Virginia and other states in the region, the Pennsylvania Soybean Board is funding research to help accelerate double crop soybean growth and yield by providing insight and data to support management recommendations for double crop soybean Spray drift is the movement of herbicides and other crop inputs away from production. intended target sites through the air. Several factors play a role in reducing The main disadvantage of double-cropping spray drift, but farmers should pay particular attention to these four: soybeans is the potential for lower soy- bean yields, primarily due to late planting. NOZZLE SELECTION – The nozzle’s intended use determines the type of nozzle needed. According to Virginia Tech soybean researcher • Examine current and future application requirements for your fields David Holshouser, Ph.D., farmers can increase • Prepare several sets of nozzles for different application needs double-cropped soybean yields by focusing • Consult herbicide labels and nozzle catalogs to help calibrate on production practices that enhance the Photo by Holly Slegowski, PSB sprayer systems for individual field needs. advantages and minimize the disadvantages. Late planting Double-cropping is popular because it provides DROPLET SIZE – When boom or nozzle pressure is increased, a higher percentage many advantages, including more cash flow, • Plant soybeans the same day of small grain harvest. of droplets are small. The smaller the droplet, the greater the chances of off-target drift. improved soil quality, less soil erosion, more • Use a late-maturing soybean variety that will mature intensive use of land, equipment, labor and before frost. APPLICATION SPEEDS – Maintain reasonable speed. Higher speeds often result in smaller droplets, which are more likely to remain suspended in the air and can capital, and greater overall production of food • Plant in narrow rows with a higher seeding rate. move long distances. and feed. Holshouser stresses that farmers can im- Pests ADDITIONAL OPTIONS – Carefully select drift-reduction nozzles and additives prove double-cropped soybean yields by • Start with a clean, weed-free field, add residual to control drift. focusing on the variables that have the greatest herbicides to pre and/or post burndown applications impact. He recommends several strategies and rotate modes of action. For more information, visit soybean farmers can implement to manage the • Use spray insecticides based on economic thresholds. www.TakeActionOnWeeds.com following four variables to increase double- • Sample for nematodes. crop yields: Brought to you by the soycheckoff. • Select pest-resistant soybean varieties. Small grain residues Economics • Cut the grain high or use a stripper header and Checkoff Funded Research • Pay attention to soil types and productivity differences uniformly spread the residue and set the planter From variety trials to On-Farm Network testing and more, providing to determine the best fields for double-cropping. to cut through and penetrate the soil to a proper farmers with cutting-edge research they can use to better manage their seeding depth. • Compare soybean prices with small-grain prices to crops is one of the most important ways the Pennsylvania Soybean • Remember that maintaining residue conserves decide whether to plant full-season or double-cropped Board (PSB) serves the state’s farmers. See the Research Summaries soil moisture and builds soil fertility, but soil- soybeans. section of our website at www.pasoybean.org. seed contact is critical to germination. • Evaluate variable costs and fixed costs. Best Management Practices for Marestail Control Dwight Lingenfelter, Penn State Weed Specialist Think you know herbicide-resistant weeds? Here are the general guidelines for horseweed/marestail management: TAKE THIS QUIZ! 1. Start clean and control marestail prior to soybean emergence. 1. Herbicide-resistant weeds cost U.S. 2. Size matters when controlling farmers $2 billion a year.* marestail. Control horseweed when it True False is small (under 6 inches tall ), while it 2. What are some cultural or herbicide is still in the rosette stage and prior to best management practices