EPP Gets Jump On Early-Season Weed Problems
RACINE, Wise. - Since World
War U, herbicides have been a
major factor in changing the way
we farm. Through the years, many
were skeptical as to how adaptable
herbicides would be to farming.
But more so, many wondered how
farmers would accept the new
practices associated with her
bicides.
Over the years, others in the
industry said herbicides wouldn’t
catch on because farmers had to
see the weeds first. These same
people have since changed their
tune and said farmers wouldn’t try
new chemicals because they didn’t
like to see weed infestations.
Times have changed. Today we
have such herbicides as pre-plant
incorporated (PPI), pre
emergence (Pre-e) and post
emergence over-the-top (OT).
Still, as changes occur in cultural
practices and the business of
farming, another term has
emerged - early pre-plant (EPP).
HAY WAGONS FOR SALE
3 Sizes Available... 16’. 18'. 20'
with or without runninggear
• Also will fit sides ontdivOMr flat wagon
r STOITZFUS WOODWORK
POURED REINFORCED
SIZES ft LAYOUTS TO YOUR SPECIFICATIONS
We are qualified to handle any poured concrete job you may
jneed. We use a practical aluminum forming system to create
concrete structures of maximum strength and durability. For a
highly satisfactory job at an affordable price, get in touch with us.
POURED FOR DURABILITY
GrefMole 4
concrete walls, inc.
BRICK CHURCH RD LEOLA PA 17540
FOR SALES & LAYOUT CONTACT
GROFFDALE POURED WALLS (717)656-2016
JAKE KING (717)656-7566
“Companies and researchers
alike are looking at old reliable
herbicides to see if they have new
applications in early pre-plant
systems,” says Bruce Julian, SCS
field specialist at the Conservation
Tillage Information Center.
“Farmers are looking at different
systems in order to cut costs and to
determine what is economically
feasible. Companies and resear
chers are helping them in their
quest.”
Researchers and companies are
looking at PPI, Pre-e and OT
herbicides to determine if they
have different applications in
cropping practices. One of the
newest and fastest growing areas
is early pre-plant use in com,
sorghum and soybeans. Resear
chers also are studying new and
different herbicide applications in
winter wheat.
Early weed
control
EPP offers an alternative to
Wood or Steel
Rt. 897 North - Gap, PA 17527
717-442-8972
farmers who are looking at early
weed control when there is more
rainfall prior to planting, whether
it be in corn, soybeans or sorghum.
“EPP may be an alternative to
pre-emergence and contact her
bicide use and reduced tillage in
the future,” Julian predicts.
What is EPP? It’s the ap
plication of herbicides about 10 to
15 days before planting. The main
objective of EPP is to control
weeds before they emerge or just
as they’re beginning to emerge.
“In no-till operations, early pre
plant reduces the risk of wet
weather causing weed growth to
get ahead of you and provides a
weed-free field in which to plant,”
says Dr. Alex Martin, Extension
weed specialist at the University of
Nebraska. “EPP herbicides take
advantage of early rainfall to
activate them, versus traditional
pre-emergence treatment. This
also reduces your risk of herbicide
failure due to dry weather and
- m
Applying herbicides 10 to 15 days before planting allows farmers to take advantage of
early spring rainfall that activates herbicides.
15
Specializing In Dairy Systems:
• Tie Stall & Free Stall Complexes
• Horse Stables & Riding Arenas
• Machinery Sheds
• Metal Buildings For Commercial Use
NEED RENOVATIONS...
OR A NEW BUILDING?
DON'T DELAY - CALL TODAY
gives you more consistent weed
control.”
EPP advocates view lower
herbicide costs as one of its main
benefits. By using early pre-plant
instead of a burn-down chemical in
no-till operations, a farmer can
save up to $l5 per acre, depending
on the herbicide rate used.
“It’s a fact that farmers incur
higher herbicide costs because
they are trying to control the
weeds after they are already
emerged,” Martin says. “EPP
gets the weeds early and you’re
not going to be spending the
money.”
EPP advantages
Some other advantages EPP
treatments offer include:
• reduces the need for a contact
herbicide;
• more time for rainfall to ac
tivate and improve herbicide
reliability;
• reduces soil moisture and
nutrient loss from early weed
growth;
• provides weed-free fields to
plant in;
• allows for application prior to
jy
*1
FARM & COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS KTSI
RD 4, EPHRATA, PA 17522 I
Located In Farmersville
PHONE (717) 354-4271
busy planting and spraying
seasons.
Julian and others, however,
caution farmers on the use of EPP.
“The jury is still out on EPP use,”
Julian says. “It is not feasible in all
situations. Researchers now have
one to two years under their belts
in actual field applications.”
Fanners who have tried it and
were successful are happy with the
results, Julian says. “A lot of
farmers are practicing some sort
of reduced tillage. They are
looking at saving a trip over the
field, so substituting a herbicide
for that trip may be the answer. It
is less expensive than tillage.”
Try test
plot
Martin advises farmers to
evaluate the weed spectrum
already present in fields before
trying it on small test plots. Also,
check the tolerance level of the
crop herbicide. Plan to use her
bicides that will control a broad
spectrum of weeds and have
sufficient residual effect to control
weeds after planting. Also, the
herbicide needs to have foliar
(Turn to Page C 6)
REYNOLDS
ROOFING <1 SIDING