Crop talk Spring 2015

WHAT’S NEW WITH BAYER CROPSCIENCE PRODUCTS

STOP WEEDS EARLY TO MAXIMIZE YIELD Don’t let them sap away energy your crop needs

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esearch has proven that proper early weed management both prior to seeding and during the critical 1- to 4-leaf stage of crop development is one of the best ways to protect and maximize yield for cereals and canola.

In fact, growers can limit losses caused by weeds to less than 5% for the entire crop year simply by maintaining good weed control during this critical early season period (OMAFRA Agronomy Guide for Field Crops).

“The early season is a time when emerging canola and cereal crops are at their most vulnerable,” says Doug Richardson, market development specialist at Bayer CropScience. “It’s also a time when weeds have the greatest negative impact on yield – far greater than at any other period of the growing season. You don’t want weeds competing with your emerging crop and using up limited moisture and nutrient resources.

This is the most important time to control weeds and allow your crop to reach its full potential.”

Start with a clean field

The first step to avoid a yield penalty is to ensure a clean field prior to planting. As part of an integrated weed management strategy involving a number of good agronomic practices, this typically involves planning for a pre-seed herbicide application or “pre-burn” to remove perennial, winter annual and early germinating species of weeds.

Herbicide choices for pre-burn include a range of product and tank mix options, involving both glyphosate and nonglyphosate modes of action. “Today, with greater awareness of the risk of herbicide

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Kochia in canola resistance, farmers are encouraged where feasible to place greater emphasis on going beyond glyphosate-only applications and to apply products with unique or multiple modes of action,” says Richardson.

For canola, growers now have more choice with a recent label expansion for Pardner® herbicide in 2014, to include application prior to seeding canola to control volunteer canola in Canada.

“This new registration allows canola growers to tank mix Pardner with Roundup® WeatherMax® herbicide or other similar glyphosates,” says Richardson, noting Pardner must ONLY

be used pre-seed for canola. Trials show that Pardner controls volunteer canola even better than industry leader CleanStart® (Source: Six Bayer CropScience Development & Licensing Trials, 2013). “The tank mix approach using Pardner and glyphosate also controls more than 28 broadleaf weeds, even those resistant to other herbicide groups such as Group 9-resistant kochia.”

Target post-emergence at 1-4 leaf stage

The second important step is to plan a post-emergence herbicide application to occur during the critical 1- to 4-leaf

A NEWSLETTER FROM BAYER CROPSCIENCE

stage for both canola and cereals. “Studies have consistently shown this stage is the most important and effective time for early postemergence application,” says Richardson.

The recommendation for Liberty®, for example, is to apply for post-emergence treatment approximately 20 days after seeding.

It’s critical to watch growing conditions closely to determine optimal timing, to make sure weeds do not get out of stage before spraying occurs.

Similar recommendations are advised for other leading products such as Velocity m3 and Varro®.

When using Liberty, particularly when weed pressure is high, a second application is recommended approximately 10-14 days later after the first application. (Second applications are not advised for Velocity m3 and Varro.)

Bayer CropScience research trials reinforce the importance of meeting these recommendations.

For example, trials have shown a 7% increase in wild oat control with Varro when the herbicide was applied at the 1- to 4-leaf stage compared to application at the growth stage of 2 to 3 tillers.

Trials have also shown weed control with Velocity m3 is substantially improved when applied approximately 30 days after seeding in contrast to application 36 days after seeding.

“The key is to avoid waiting too long,” says Richardson. “If post-emergence spraying occurs after the 1- to 4-leaf stage it is too late and growers can expect their crop to suffer major yield reductions due to weed competition.”

CANOLA: TIMING IS EVERYTHING SEEDING CROP EMERGENCE

LEAF STAGES

1

2

WEEK 1

3

WEEK 2

4 56

WEEK 3

(High yield protection)

WEEK 4 (Low yield protection)

COSMETICS & WEED SEED PREVENTION

EMERGING WEEDS CAUSE CROP LOSS

CRITICAL WEED-FREE PERIOD IN WHEAT CROPS DAY 0

EMERGENCE

DAY15-23

ADVANCED TILLERING

CRITICAL WEED FREE PERIOD

INREASED LIKELIHOOD INCREASED LIKELIHOOD OF OF CROP CROP RESPONSE

Bayer CropScience is dedicated to furthering the education of all our growing partners. The Grow Your Knowledge Education Series is an online series of short videos and quizzes that can help you get valuable CCA credits when completed successfully. This video library features presentations by ag-industry experts on a wide variety of topics that address the most serious and relevant concerns facing growers today.

This site has recently been updated with eight NEW fungicide training videos and modules including:

EDUCATION SERIES

• 2 014 Fusarium Head Blight Update and Best Management Practices • Fungicide Resistance in Canada • New Delaro® Fungicide for Pulses and Soybeans • Integrated Pest Management Systems

•

Disease Updates – Sclerotinia Control in Canola – Cereal Crops – Chickpea, Lentils and Field Peas – Dry Beans and Soybeans

To view these videos and many more, please visit: BayerCropScience.ca/GrowYourKnowledge

FARMFORUM.CA / SPRING 2015

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WHAT’S NEW WITH BAYER CROPSCIENCE PRODUCTS

TAKE CONTROL OF HERBICIDE RESISTANCE Don’t let weeds make the decisions on your farm

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erbicide resistance is a growing problem that’s hard to ignore.

Surveys each year add to an expanding body of evidence that this issue is not going away and is a real threat to the productivity and sustainability of Canadian farms.

But growers have the tools and knowledge to fight back. It all starts with making the decision to take charge, before you’re stuck letting weeds make the decisions on your farm.

Understand the challenge

The battle between herbicides and weeds is one of survival of the fittest. Normally, a herbicide will do what it is designed to do. It will control the weed population it is targeted for. However, due to genetic variation, within any weed population there is often a low frequency of plants that carry a level of resistance to a specific group of herbicides.

Normally this has no bearing on yield loss and is not a cause for concern.

However, if the same herbicide group is relied upon too frequently and heavily, without rotating herbicide groups and weed control measures, this places heavy selection pressure on the weed population and promotes the survival of any resistant individuals.

Over time these resistant plants can multiply and become the dominant weeds in the field, resulting in herbicide products that are no longer effective for weed control.

Mix it up

Growers can prevent herbicide resistance from occurring by implementing integrated weed management strategies. These should include a variety of sound agronomic approaches, along with a “mixing it up” approach using different herbicide

groups, to make sure the risk of resistance is kept at a low level.

When managing herbicide groups, it’s important to keep in mind that different products can still have the same active ingredients. In order to manage resistance, growers need to make sure they are actually changing the active ingredients applied to the field and not just the products.

Product labels typically provide this information by describing the herbicide as belonging to a particular numbered chemical group. So it’s critical for growers to read the labels and “know your groups” as the basis for a successful strategy.

InVigor Consistently Delivers

To see complete performance data including trial results from your area, visit InVigorResults.ca

2014 TOP 10 OFFICIAL PUBLIC CO-OP REGISTRATION TRIALS InVigor Yield (% of InVigor 5440 and Pioneer Hi-Bred 45H29)

Grown on more acres than any other canola, InVigor® is the name growers have come to trust for consistent performance and yield year after year.

Since first introduced in 1996, InVigor hybrids have ranked number one on the Western Canada Canola/Rapeseed Recommending Committee (WCC/RRC) variety registration trials for 19 consecutive years. And 2014 was no exception with InVigor hybrids notching eight of the top 10 spots.

Competitors

110 105 100 95 90 85

Source: 2014 Western Canadian Canola & Rapeseed Recommending Committee (WCC/RRC)

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FARM FORUM /SPRING 2015

A NEWSLETTER FROM BAYER CROPSCIENCE

GROU Record keeping is important and growers should know their field history in order to rotate their herbicide groups based on past use and frequency of use. It’s important to keep selection pressure low, both during the growing season and from year to year.

In addition to chemical rotation, growers should take advantage of other sound weed management practices that help manage resistance. These include increasing the seeding rate and decreasing row spacing for better crop competition; implementing proper crop rotation to change up the disease and weed pressure dynamic; cleaning farm equipment to avoid transferring resistant weed seed; and where needed removing resistant weed patches by conventional tillage or hand weeding. Get a complete overview of the herbicide resistance issue and all of the key options available at www.MixItUp.ca.

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Tackling the glyphosate issue GROUP While Canada faces a number 10 of significant weed resistance issues, a leading high-profile example on the minds of many growers today is the rising threat of glyphosate resistance. But growers have options.

In canola, for example, with its unique Group 10 mode of action, Liberty is the perfect rotational tool for canola growers to be proactive and stop this problem in its tracks before it becomes a bigger management issue.

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The Group 4 challenge GROUP The sheer number of brands for 4 Group 4 herbicides makes this an important area for growers to pay close attention. Resistance strategies require mixing it up among groups, not just herbicide brands.

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A league of its own In cereals, Infinity® contains the unique Group 27 active ingredient that provides superior results on even the toughest broadleaf weeds such as kochia, wild buckwheat and cleavers.

Infinity is powered by pyrasulfotole, the newest active ingredient for cereal broadleaf weed control in Canada.

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he Wheel of Resistance shows the 13 chemical groups of herbicides presently registered in Canada. It also shows the number of herbicide brands available under each group. The wheel serves as a reminder that while some groups feature many product options, in order to guard against resistance, growers need to make sure they rotate in options from different groups.

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KNOW YOUR GROUPS

LEADING HERBICIDE OPTIONS Here are some examples of products that have particular advantages as resistance management tools: Liberty – The only Group 10 herbicide in canola, with no known resistance in Canada.

Varro – This herbicide’s Group 2 chemistry is a proven performer to control Group 1resistant wild oats.

Velocity m3 – This herbicide has three MOAs, including the unique Group 27 to eliminate numerous resistant broadleaf and grass weeds.

Infinity – The unique Group 27 broadleaf herbicide available to western Canadian cereal growers that has no known herbicide resistance in cereals.

FARMFORUM.CA / SPRING 2015

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WHAT’S NEW WITH BAYER CROPSCIENCE PRODUCTS

INVIGOR PERFORMANCE DRIVEN TOUR TAKES GROWERS INSIDE THE WORLD OF INVIGOR A unique, behind-the-scenes look at what goes into every bag of InVigor

T

here’s nothing quite like opening that first bag of top quality InVigor canola hybrid seed and watching as it pours into the air drill. But for all the good feelings this brings — from a sense of pride in farming to anticipation of a successful cropping season ahead — it can be hard to visualize and fully appreciate all the hard work, passion and commitment to grower success that is invested in each seed.

InVigor growers see the benefits of the investment in InVigor seed each growing season including a big payoff at harvest time. Now all canola growers, retailers and others in the Canadian agriculture industry can get a unique look behind the scenes at all of the ingredients that fuel this performance, with the new “InVigor Performance Driven Tour.”

Passion for grower success

The tour, launched earlier this year, features a one-of-a kind, specially designed trailer that serves as an interactive, mobile learning centre.

Growers and others can hop inside this high-tech big rig to learn about everything that goes into developing the world-class InVigor canola hybrid. It covers all the key elements, from science innovation and

Window on innovation. Growers can learn first-hand what goes into developing a world-class InVigor hybrid by visiting the InVigor Performance Driven Tour.

of InVigor and how that translates to outstanding performance in the field.

Tour stops across western Canada leading-edge breeding processes, to the people driven by a dedication to growers who make it all happen.

The multi-space trailer environment shows step-by-step how all the work and investment is directed toward providing InVigor growers with every advantage to make their growing season as successful as possible. There’s simply no better way to see the value that goes into every bag

The tour hit the road earlier this year and is making stops at agriculture shows, crop tours and grower events across Western Canada this spring and summer.

Look for the big green and blue trailer with the supersized InVigor logo at a tour stop near you. Growers can follow tour progress on Twitter, @Bayer4CropsCA, hashtag #InVigorPerforms, or by contacting a local Bayer CropScience representative.

ItPaysToSpray.ca Update With over seven years of compiled trial data, spread across all prairie provinces and soil zones, ItPaysToSpray.ca continues to be one of the most reliable online resources a grower can have. Not only does this site allow cereal growers to see local trial results and the positive economic impact a fungicide can have for their operations, it also assists them in making an informed decision on their own fungicide purchases.

Re-launching in March 2015, the updated site will contain all data from 2014 trials and features a new and improved Google maps based format for maximum ease of use.

Before you make your critical fungicide decisions for 2015, make sure you check out the new and improved site at ItPaysToSpray.ca BayerCropScience.ca or 1 888-283-6847 or contact your Bayer CropScience representative. Always read and follow label directions. Infinity®, InVigor®, Liberty®, Pardner®, and Varro® are registered trademarks of the Bayer Group.. All other products mentioned are trademarks of their respective companies. Bayer CropScience is a member of CropLife Canada.

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