TO MAINTAIN PROFITABILITY OF THE SUGARBEET CROP IN 2014 WILL be much more challenging than in recent years. Glyphosate resistant weeds continue to spread to more areas each year. It is imperative growers use a proactive approach to prevent terrible problems from developing in a very short time. This Ag Notes has more general information for crops in rotation. The next issue of Ag Notes will focus on specific resistant weed management strategies for sugarbeets.

Strategies to Combat Resistant Weeds

• Scout fields to identify escapes.
• Tank mix herbicides with multiple MOA (Modes Of Action). Rotate different MOA in consecutive years.
• Rotate crops to enable different MOA.
• Use labor and mechanical weed control.

What You Can Do

• Keep small grains in your rotation.
• Use Pre-Emerge Herbicides in Rotational Crops (corn & soybeans).
• Tank-mix other herbicides with Glyphosate/Roundup®.
• Use Liberty Link corn and/or soybean varieties.

1st Two RR Beet Sprays Up To 8-leaf Stage

• Use highest labeled rates.
• Tank-mix 3 oz./Acre of Stinger for common Ragweed.
• Initiate first spray very early.
• If resistant weed populations are present, consult your agriculturist for more aggressive strategies.

General Pesticide Tank Mixing Order

Read product labels for specific mixing instructions.

To help manage Roundup® resistance, it is important to tank mix other pesticides with different modes of action. Use this as a guide to make sure tank mixing of pesticides is done in the correct order based on the product's formulation to avoid any problems in the tank and booms as well as to maintain product efficacy.

Always have water circulating in sprayer tank to ensure continuous agitation. Always give time to every component to dissolve in the water. Adjuvants are added in the same sequence as pesticides, that is, ammonium sulfate is a soluble powder, oil adjuvants are emulsifiable concentrates, and most surfactants are solutions. Within each group, usually add the pesticide before the adjuvant.

1. Fill the tank 50% with water
2. Buffer agent, pH adjusters
3. Water Dispersible Granules - Soluble Powder
4. Wettable Powder (pre-slurry)
5. Suspension Concentrate (SC) - Flowable Concentrate
6. Emulsifiable Concentrate (EC)
7. Crop Oil
8. Soluble Liquid (SL) - Glyphosate
9. Surfactant
10. Top off tank with water
11. Spray as soon as possible