Learning continues with dicamba

Before another growing season approaches, farmers are encouraged to attend training and educational events on dicamba herbicide and to properly understand the label prior to spraying fields.

Ryan Rubischko, dicamba portfolio lead for Monsanto, says a vast majority of growers his company has talked with have reported weed control is what they were expecting, really tackling those tough-to-control weeds. Rubischko acknowledges there has been leaf cupping and off-target movement to certain soybean fields this season.

“We wanted to be very proactive and work with those individuals as well,” Rubischko told The Central Illinois Farm Network during this year’s Farm Progress Show at Decatur.

Industry experts warn farmers that it is extremely important to review the application requirements. Errors have been observed in the countryside due to nozzle errors or not observing a required buffer zone.

“It’s an opportunity to continue from an education and training perspective to help reinsure many more farmers that are planning to plant the Xtend technology next year are ready to be able to use those application requirements,” adds Rubischko.

According to Rubischko, previous trials showed a five-bushel advantage with Xtend soybeans compared to other systems. Farmers mainly want the technology for weed control. Rubischko believes in an overall weed control program which includes the use of multiple modes of action to attack weeds.