Water: Your Friend Inside And Outside The Spray Tank

By Bridgette Readel

Why are agronomists and crop consultants diligently talking about the significance of water when it comes to waterhemp? As Joe Ikley, North Dakota State University weed science specialist, put it: “Because we don’t call it dryhemp.”

Not only does waterhemp thrive with moisture in the soil, but using water in the right way also can truly make a difference in the control of this pest in crops, particularly soybeans. Additionally, waterhemp herbicide control options are dwindling.  

Spoiler alert: If a new active ingredient herbicide were discovered today, then it would be at least 10 years before it could be sold in the market. Making better choices now can truly be a forecast for your farmers’ fields. 

Here are two choices to explore:
 
Time Management
Loading a sprayer takes time, and time is money. But money can also be lost by inefficient applications. If you do the math, then a waterhemp plant can produce 250,000 seeds. Without the proper control, one plant leaves 55,000 seeds in the field to compete with your crop over the next three years.

Think how conditions change as the number of plants and number of acres compound. Suddenly, taking a shortcut to use less water has affected product coverage and plant absorption on a grander scale and cost you more than time in the long run. 

According to Ikley, a recent study showed though the majority of waterhemp seed will germinate or become unviable within three years, a small percentage can remain viable for up to 16 years. Preventing those plants from going to seed is imperative. 

Assess Sprayer Nozzles
Planters possess a tremendous amount of exact science. Are sprayers treated in the same fashion? Assessing nozzles on a sprayer to assist your farmers can be one step in improving weed control. 

Kyle Stull, owner of Stull Agronomy in Waukesha, Wisconsin, reminds us that each droplet better have the ability to kill the weed and handle dust found on the leaf surface or created by application equipment. 
We frequently see more fall herbicide applications. Not only will weather at application time turn colder, but the water also will. Cold water doesn’t absorb dry products well, but you can improve the tank mix situation if you remember: 

• Preparing to spray is like making lemonade. If you simply dump in the powder and go, then the mixture never turns out well. Use mild agitation to mix, and take the time to ensure absorption.
• Keep water tanks in a warm area, even if that means bringing in sprayer trailers overnight. 
• Make sure the product is in the solution, not in a clump at the bottom of the spray tank.  

As a crop consultant or agronomist, isn’t it awesome when customers contact you and share how fabulous everything is going? Encouraging your customers to use higher water rates can increase the frequency of those phone calls.

It can decrease leaf burn, decrease the calls you receive for poor product performance and help you avoid the calls that a sprayer is plugged.