URBANDALE, Iowa - Heavy rains and flooding have wreaked havoc on crop production, but not weeds. The widespread damage and high costs of flooding across the state have many producers looking for ways to be more cost effective. Experts warn, however, that cutting corners on weed management will most likely do more harm than good.

Iowa State University Extension Weed Specialist Mike Owen says crops are not only suffering from the excessive rain, but from weeds as well.

“Growers are looking at the cost of glyphosate and thinking, ‘Well, maybe I need to cut back on that,’” Owen says. “When they cut the rate, they cut control possibilities, so they wonder, ‘What can I add in?’”

Owen warns producers against looking to create their own concoction to solve the problem.

“Essentially they are looking for that mystical, silver bullet, which doesn’t exist — the catch-all solution,” Owen says. “They are coming up with highly imaginable concoction of herbicides to take care of business.”

Owen says producers need to be careful and make correct and appropriate agronomic decisions, especially considering the stress of the crops.

“Any decision made to control weeds, diseases and insects is going to have greater impact on the yield,” Owen says. “Stick to the label; don’t get creative. Risks of the silver bullet outweigh any benefits.”

To hear more, check out ISA’s Production Research Web page, and on the left side under June, click on the podcast entitled, “Glyphosate: Don’t Skimp on the Application Rates.”

To learn more about ISA, visit its Web site at www.iasoybeans.com.