Managing weeds effectively, especially during the critical early stages of crop development, is one of the most important decisions a grower can make. When is that critical stage, and is it possible to get away with a once-over pass, or is a pre-seed burn-off necessary?
In this episode of Wheat School, RealAgriculture’s Amber Bell catches up with Chris Mansiere, agronomic solutions manager with Bayer, to dive into a crucial aspect of early-season weed management: the critical weed-free period. While no grower likes to see weeds in the field, Mansiere emphasizes that when you tackle them makes all the difference in protecting yield potential.
The critical weed-free period is the window when your crop is getting established — typically from emergence to tillering — and any competition from weeds during this time can significantly rob yield, Mansiere explains. The goal? Keep fields clean through this stage using a strategic mix of residual herbicides and timely applications.
Mansiere underscores the importance of starting with a good pre-seed burn-off, even if it doesn’t look like much is growing. “Smaller weeds are easier to control,” he says. Tank mixing and using residuals tailored to the specific weed spectrum can extend control into the early crop stages, reducing pressure, and resistance risks.
A systems approach — combining fall applications, early spring scouting, pre-seed burn-off, and a timely in-crop pass — helps growers stay ahead of tough weeds like cleavers and wild oats.
The bottom line? Investing in a two-pass program pays off. It’s economical, boosts yield potential, and sets up your wheat for success. As Mansiere puts it, “the burn-off is a really good way to get going.”
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