When establishing CRP practices on your farmland, weed control can be a major concern. If not taken care of effectively, weeds can overtake your land and prevent your CRP seeds from thriving.
Weeds grow faster than native species and other plants, often growing taller than native vegetation and blocking it from receiving sunlight. In addition, they can take up a significant amount of space and resources in the soil. This leaves other species with less space to expand and fewer nutrients to flourish.
There are a variety of different weed control methods that can be used on CRP land. In some circumstances, an herbicide may be the best option. But determining when it is necessary to use herbicide can be a challenge.
When Should Herbicide Be Used to Control Weeds?
CRP participants are required by contract to control and prevent weeds on their land to participate in the program. Sometimes, control methods like mowing and prescribed burning can be used instead of herbicide.
However, these alternate methods are usually used in conjunction with herbicide treatments to target weeds most effectively. But there are certain restrictions in place on what type of herbicides can be used on CRP land.
These restrictions vary based on region and your specific CRP practices. For this reason, determining which type of herbicide to use and when can be complex. Creating an herbicide plan designed for the specific weeds on your land can help guide you through the process of herbicide application.
Preplant and Preemergence Herbicide Treatments
Before seeding takes place, there are certain herbicides that can be used to treat the land to prevent weeds from taking over. Deciding on the appropriate herbicide for these treatments depends on factors such as the health of your soil and cost.
Some herbicides may be used in the place of tillage to keep moisture in the soil. But these treatments do not control weeds that have not yet emerged from the ground. The specific type of herbicide used will also heavily depend on what is in your contract.
Postemergence Herbicide Treatments
When it comes to weeds that have already emerged, the most important factor in applying herbicide is timeliness. Herbicide applied to a weed early enough in its growth stages will reduce the competition for your CRP seed in the soil and allow it to grow more rapidly.
For the most part, winter and summer annual broadleaf weeds can be controlled most effectively if herbicides are applied to the plant when they are under 6 inches tall. But the specific type of herbicide used will vary depending on the type of weed you are targeting.
How Do I Determine Which Herbicide to Use?
To decide which herbicide is the right one to use on your CRP land, you will need to do some research. First, you must identify the specific type of weed growing on your land. You will also need to know which seed mix you will be using to figure out what herbicide will work best while preventing negative effects on the species you are trying to grow. Then, you will need to verify that the herbicide you have selected is permissible under your CRP contract.
The easiest way to decide on the right herbicide for your project is by reaching out to a professional. Our CRP experts at All Native Seed can provide you with the best native seed mixes for your region and provide herbicide recommendations.
With our experience in CRP, we can help you select the most effective herbicide for your project. We can even assist with herbicide application and no-till planting through FDCE, our sister company. Contact us today at All Native Seed to learn more about how we can help.