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. There are two keys early- start clean and use Command or equivalent clomazone treatment at planting. If you planted into green vegetation, a burn-down plus residual treatment needs to go out now. That sounds simple, but I get calls from frustrated consultants every year saying, “My guy didn’t get his burn-down out, and I have rice emerged!” Those are always tough questions to handle.

Depending on the weed spectrum, I recommend Command or an equivalent clomazone, either alone or in combination with a broadleaf/sedge product at planting. Hopefully, this weekend’s forecast brings rain but no storms. Lots of folks are out of moisture, plus we need the herbicides that have been applied and activated. If you are planted, have your preemergence herbicide out, and catch a rain, you are in a great situation to get another residual treatment applied before rice emergence. I rarely get a call from someone in trouble who got a preemergence AND a delayed preemergence treatment out before rice and weeds emerge.

The big issue in the field this year is seed, and there is no point in me weighing in on that as I can’t fix it. However, there is a lot of switching around from whatever seed you want to whatever seed you can get. I can see opportunities for mistakes and confusion. Perhaps you intended to plant Provisia or Max-Ace, but you switched to Clearfield or conventional. Perhaps your neighbor told you he was planting FullPage in the field next to your FullPage, but he had to plant conventional and forgot to tell you. These are simple examples, but you get the picture. Double-check everything from seed delivery to planting to spraying to what is turned in at the airport to communicating with your neighbor on what is in their fields and yours. Again, it sounds simple, but I get called on “wipeouts” every year based on what someone assumed.

There is a lot of uncertainty in agriculture right now that I can’t fix. However, I can be here to help you in any way that I can. Also, just remember that we have seen uncertainty or pessimism often turn around during the growing season. I am hopeful for one of those years!

Call or text to 501-681-3413. If calling, please leave a message if I don’t answer. You can also email ford@weedconsultants.com.

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