7 Ways U.S. Farmers Can Proactively Delay Herbicide Weed Resistance

The number of herbicide-resistant weeds continues to grow every year, putting crop quality and yield at risk. To date, there are more than 270 species of herbicide-resistant weeds around the world that impact a wide variety of crops.

To proactively delay resistant weed development, farmers should prioritize creating and implementing a weed-resistance management strategy across every acre they plan to plant. 

The strategy should include the following considerations: 

1. Use herbicide group numbers strategically

2. Know adjuvant requirements

3. Include tillage as a weed management tool

4. Enhance the crop canopy

5. Clean your equipment 

6. Rotate crops

7. Rotate herbicides

Continue reading to learn how to implement each of these considerations. 

1. Use Herbicide Group Numbers Strategically

Each herbicide group number corresponds to a site of action of an active ingredient. When multiple herbicide groups are applied to control a targeted weed, the weed is less likely to escape a spraying, as it must tolerate many different functional disruptions. 

An example of this would be a weed in your area that is known to resist both glyphosate (Group 9) and ALS inhibitor (Group 2) active ingredients. To effectively address the weed pressure, you could apply herbicides from other groups such as GCS Metola Plus 8EC (Group 15) and Willowood Sulfen 4SC (Group 14).

2. Know Adjuvant Requirements

Proper adjuvants can increase the efficacy of your burndown and preemergence herbicides. Consult your chem label to see which adjuvants are required or recommended for use. 

Whether you need a surfactant like IN-Zorb ADV, a crop oil like FBN Crop Oil Concentrate, or a drift inhibitor like Miller Mist-Control®, take the time to familiarize yourself with the products that can help you get the most out of your herbicide shot while limiting unintended impacts. 

3. Include Tillage as a Weed Management Tool

By controlling emerged weeds and burying non-germinated seed, tillage can help reduce seed banks as part of an integrated weed management program with herbicide applications. 

Is tillage right for your ag operation? Find out what different tillage operations can do for your fields in this blog post.

4. Enhance the Crop Canopy

Changing planting and fertilizer strategies through experimentation with narrower rows and banding fertilizer could hasten the growth of a crop canopy, which is effective for shading out competitive weeds. Additionally, a crop canopy can help moderate stress and minimize disease. 

5. Clean Your Equipment 

Avoid spreading weed seeds by cleaning equipment before leaving each field. Plus, the work that you do to control troublesome weeds in the fence rows adjacent to your fields will also reduce the spread of weeds.

Cleaning equipment is also recommended for both your spring and winter equipment maintenance. Get your free Spring Equipment Maintenance Checklist and Winter Equipment Maintenance Checklist to learn more. 

6. Rotate Crops

In addition to improving soil health and increasing crop yields, crop rotation can also help break weed cycles. Rotating crops, including row crops, small grains, and cover crops, on a regular basis can prevent certain weeds from becoming dominant.

7. Rotate Herbicides

While there are many herbicides labeled to control the same weed species, using the same herbicide year after year may initiate resistance and decrease your ability to control the weeds. Herbicide diversity plays an important role in fighting weed resistance.

Shop for Herbicides on FBN

FBN offers a diverse product portfolio to provide a wide range of herbicide options for growers to develop an integrated weed management strategy.

Top Preemergence Herbicides at FBN

*Group 9 Postemergence on Glyphosate-traited crops ONLY

*Group 10 Postemergence Glufosinate-traited crops ONLY

Related Resources

• Herbicide Modes of Action Groups 101

• Are You Spray Compliant? What Farmers Need to Know About Proposed EPA Herbicide Label Updates

• Follow These 3 Steps to Simplify Your Herbicide Selection Process

© 2014 - 2024 Farmer's Business Network, Inc. All rights Reserved. The sprout logo, “Farmers Business Network”, “FBN”, "Farmers First", “FBN Direct” , "F2F", and "F2F Genetics Network" are trademarks or registered trademarks of Farmer's Business Network, Inc.

Miller Mist-Control® is a registered trademark of Miller Chemical & Fertilizer, LLC.

AgSaver™ Glyphosate 53.8% is a trademark of AgSaver, LLC.

All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

**Atrazine 4L Value Pick is a restricted use pesticide.

**Meto 1.7+Meso 0.22+Atrzn 1.66 is a restricted use pesticide.

**RESTRICTED USE PESTICIDE Due to acute toxicity. For retail sale to and use by certified applicators only – NOT to be used by uncertified persons working under the supervision of a certified applicator.

FBN Direct products and services and other products distributed by FBN Direct are offered by FBN Inputs, LLC and are available only in states where FBN Inputs, LLC is licensed and where those products are registered for sale or use, if applicable. If applicable, please check with your local extension service to ensure registration status. Nothing contained on this page, including the prices listed should be construed as an offer for sale, or a sale of products. All products and prices are subject to change at any time and without notice. Terms and conditions apply.

ALWAYS READ AND FOLLOW LABEL DIRECTIONS. It is a violation of federal and state law to use any pesticide product other than in accordance with its label. The distribution, sale and use of an unregistered pesticide is a violation of federal and/or state law and is strictly prohibited. We do not guarantee the accuracy of any information provided on this page or which is provided by us in any form. It is your responsibility to confirm prior to purchase and use that a product is labeled for your specific purposes, including, but not limited to, your target crop or pest and its compatibility with other products in a tank mix and that the usage of a product is otherwise consistent with federal, state and local laws. We reserve the right to restrict sales on a geographic basis in our sole discretion. You must have a valid applicator license to use restricted use pesticides. Please consult your state department of agriculture for complete rules and regulations on the use of restricted use pesticides, as some products require specific record-keeping requirements.

The material provided is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for specific agronomic, business, legal, investment or professional advice. Where specific advice is necessary or appropriate, consult with a qualified agronomist, financial planner, or investment manager. Neither Farmer's Business Network, Inc. nor any of its affiliates makes any representations or warranties, express or implied, as to the accuracy or completeness of the statements or any information contained in the material and any liability therefore is expressly disclaimed.