Ford Says: Welcoming the 2026 Growing Season
I just wanted to remind everyone that I am set up in central Arkansas for the summer and ready to come to the field when needed. This has been the craziest year for farmers I can remember, but hopefully things are starting to sort out.
I just wanted to remind everyone that I am set up in central Arkansas for the summer and ready to come to the field when needed. This has been the craziest year for farmers I can remember, but hopefully things are starting to sort out.
The field situations are all over the board and need to he handled on an individual basis. With the dry and windy conditions that prevailed most of the spring, it has been hard to get herbicides applied and activated. Now that most have received moisture either by rain or flushing, the weeds will make up for lost time! They will have to be hit hard and timely. I am available for calls and field visits. You can call or text 501-681-3413 and email me at ford@weedconsultants.com.
Most of you know I am up and going by 6 am, including weekends. If I do not answer, please leave a message. If you do not hear back in a few minutes, please call again, as I take pride in timely responses. Also, do not assume I am too busy and will not call. I am used to, and happiest, working busily.
Hopefully, everyone will use good judgment when spraying. The frustrations of this spring, grass growing, and the strong winds continuing to blow are a recipe for a bad drift complaint year. Communication with neighbors, along with respect and good judgment, can prevent a lot of the drift issues. If you need me, I am here.
More Ford Says
Get the latest from Riceland crop consultant Dr. Ford Baldwin.
Ford Says: Early Planting Outlook
The crop season is starting early, and I am available for telephone calls and field visits. Farmers are rolling like I have never seen this early. Lots of rice has been planted, and I hope everyone stays “sprayed up” with the drills.
Ford Says: Command Injury
A phenomenon observed more than usual this year is very defined (and often severe) injury patterns in some fields from clomazone or Command. While it is not uncommon to see old levee patterns, planter patterns, wheel track patterns, tillage patterns, and some soil residual herbicide applications, some of these with clomazone this year seem much more pronounced than usual.