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Consider a fall burndown herbicide

Farmers looking to get a head start on 2025 weed control might consider a fall burndown herbicide.

Dan Smydra, an Enlist field specialist for Corteva Agriscience, says there are several benefits.

“First off, winter annuals are small in the fall making them easier to control. If you’re targeting early-emerging spring weeds like kochia, lambsquarters, ragweed, sunflower, and even marestail, this is also a good opportunity to include a residual product to stay ahead of those weeds as they emerge.”

He tells Brownfield applying a burndown herbicide in place of fall tillage conserves soil moisture and aids in time management.

“A strong fall burndown program helps avoid those weed messes that are hard to control and use up valuable time in the spring. You experience cleaner, warmer fields, which accommodates early planting along with good plant establishment.”

Smydra says another reason to apply a burndown herbicide in the fall is because several winter annual weeds can also be hosts to pests like soybean cyst nematode.