Lancaster farming. (Lancaster, Pa., etc.) 1955-current, October 14, 1995, Image 218
P«B» IS-Com Tile. Lanoater Farming, Saturday, October 14,1995 TOO LATE TO CONTROL PERENNIALS THIS FALL? Bill Curran Penn State Weed Specialist Fall is generally the best time to kill most of our “herbaceous” perennials such as Canada thistle, quackgrass, and hemp dogbane. It is also the best time to kill an old legume or grass hay field or pasture. However, by this time (mid-October), you may be asking whether that applica tion is still worthwhile. Except for some of the more cool-season types of peren nials, the benefit of applying a herbicide after the first hard frost is questionable. If in doubt, examine the plant for signs of life. For example, with hemp dogbane, if the leaves still appear mostly green and healthy and the root buds are Your Complete Headquarters For Sprayers And Parts Raven Tough Polyethylene Tanks We Also Stock A Complete Line Off: fBSBk WsnwroP DArr p • Sprayer Hose HaW • Roll Valves Spray And° ZZleS PUMPS * Nylon Fittings Accessories Accessories . Tanks PAUL B. ZIMMERMAN, INC. i ex. 'i 50 Woodcomer Rd., Lilitz, PA 17543 1 Mile Wen of EphreU r~ — ll r I Mon -> Thun., Fii. 7*1:30 I lUUS) (717) 738-7350 W, W*.: 7-5:30 I • HARDWARE • FARM SUPPLIES • ' s * u7j4! ° B . .-I WANT TO LOWER YOUR FEED COST? This season plant PJister Kernoil® and Superkemoit ™ “THE HIGH OIL CORN” The beet investment that Livestock and Poultry producers can make. FEATURES AND BENEFITS: * Higher oil content * More energy than normal corn * More crude protein than normal corn M TJk * Belter palalability for Livestock . * Yields are comparable to normal corn iJQHSEJjI * Makes excellent silage JtsiißjHjOiLl * Better teed efficiency ttH * More Amino acids, Lysine, Methionine, and Cysteine * Dust is controlled in confinement feeding ' Available in a maturity range from 93 to 117 days * Lowers feed cost (or Dairy, Beef, Swine and Poultry Producers DEALERSHIPS AVAILABLE IN SOME AREAS FOR MORE INFORMATION WRITE OR CALL YOUR STATE SUPERVISOR FOR PA ' PFISTER Y 9 (Qh Symo-Llfe, Inc. Optimum ll ' I HYBRIDS j rcJLn. 3507 US 62 ((unlily [mini V ' * * Mlllersburg, Ohio 44654 Telephone (216) 893-2732 Of 1-800-368-6692 HELPING AMERICA GROW . OI'IIMUM IS AIK AOEMARK (jnilE UUfON f COMPANY, like pink, an application of Round tip, 2,4-D, or Banvel could still pay off. For the last two seasons, we compared two application times (Sept. 1 and Oct. 1) for several herbicides including Roundup on hemp dogbane control in the fall. Although the early September timing was slightly better than early Octob er (80 percent vs. 70 percent control), both timings were more effective than spring or early summer application of systemic herbicides in com. With the cooler season spe cies (Canada thistle, quack grass, orchardgrass, etc.) we generally have more time to make that application. Howev er, the effectiveness generally starts to decrease after mid- September, depending on location. In a study conducted by Dr. Nathan Hartwig, professor of weed science, the later fall applications of Roundup on quackgrass control were less effective than eariier timings (Table 1). As a general rule for cool season species, make applications before September 30 in northern and western Pen nsylvania, before October 15 in central Pennsylvania, and before November 1 in southern Pennsylvania. For our more “fair-weather*’ types of perennials such as hemp dogbane, bindweed, and wirestem muhly, move these dates up by about 1 month. The application rate for Roundup is 1 to 2 quarts per acre (3 to 6 pints per acre for Ranger). The lower rates of Roundup require low volume application (3 to 10 gallons of Table 1. The following table is from some research conducted in Central Pennsylvania in the 19705. The effect of application timing on quackgrass control is readily apparent. Roundup was applied at 1 1/3 quarts per acre. Time of Application Late September Early October November carrier per acre plus surfactant and ammonium sulfate). Fall applications of Banvel, 2,4-D, Banvel +2.4-D, or in combina tion with Roundup' are also more effective than spring treatments on killing old alfalfa sods or most other perennial broadleaf species. In addition, fall applications of Banvel Percent Quackgrar.s Control >90% 80-90% 50-60% allow for spring soybean or for age legume plantings, while spring treatments do not. The addition of Roundup or Ranger to 2,4-D and/or Banvel can broaden the spectrum and is necessary for grass control. Banvel and/or 2,4-D LVE rates are generally 1 to 2 pints per acre.