Growers should remain flexible

LEXINGTON – One area agronomist is encouraging growers to stay flexible and look for opportunities despite a difficult fall season here in Central Illinois.

Dan Froelich from Brandt Consolidated says very few farmers were able to apply fall chemical burndown applications due to the weather conditions from late October through November.

Some may be tempted to spray when the weather warms but Froelich believes there should be at least a couple of days above 50 degrees so weeds can actively take in the chemicals.

“Otherwise, I’m afraid we are just putting good money after bad,” Froelich told The Central Illinois Farm Network.

Dicamba can even be applied as a winter burndown in February or March ahead of corn or soybeans if conditions allow.

This fall’s anhydrous season has also been less than ideal as the weather seemed to change from summer to winter without much fall in between.

“Don’t panic yet,” Froelich notes. “We’ve seen times where all of the sudden you get two weeks of warm weather and things change quickly.”

Ammonia could even go on in March if we see an early spring, according to Froelich. An application a few weeks before planting with a little rain would be ideal.