News

Rains welcome in fight against weeds

The outreach agronomist with the Illinois Soybean Association says recent widespread rains should help many farmers in the fight against weeds.

Stephanie Porter tells Brownfield many herbicides need moisture to be effective.

“There were areas to the north, and I would say northwest to western parts of the state that hadn’t received any rain for a while.”  She says, “They were worrying about maybe some of their herbicide residuals working.”

Western Illinois farmer, Brady Holst, who farms in Hancock County, says despite the overall dry conditions, weeds have already been a challenge this spring.

“There’s definitely lack of moisture in the depths, but the top where the plants are at right now, that doesn’t seem to be much of a problem.”  He says, “Really the weed pressure is starting to kind of pick up a little bit because there’s a dampness on the top.”

Holst says he began post-emergence spraying his soybeans ahead of the recent rains to stay ahead of the weed pressure.

AUDIO: Brady Holst – Illinois farmer