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Hard water, weak results: why herbicide mixing matters

Many challenges can emerge when farmers spray herbicides to control weeds.

Drew Butler, adjuvant portfolio manager for Loveland Products, says one issue that often arises involves the water used for mixing.

“Anytime you’re using a herbicide, you have the chance of losing efficacy with your water quality. So if you have hard water, which is common across the entire United States, you are risking having your active ingredient tie up with that water.”

He tells Brownfield untreated water can limit the effectiveness of herbicides.

“So having something that can treat that water and make that active ingredient stay available to do its job is crucial.”

Butler says Loveland Products offers Weather Gard Elite, an all-in-one water conditioner formulated to simplify mixing, reduce drift, and improve penetration so the active herbicide ingredient has a better chance of reaching its target.