BENEFITS OF FALL HERBICIDE TREATMENTS FOR PROFESSIONAL APPLICATORS
As temperatures start to cool and leaves begin to change, many applicators feel that spray season is ending; they look to clean out their sprayers and pack them in for the year. The fact is, there are many benefits to fall herbicide applications.
GOOD BUSINESS
There are a few areas in the country that have year-round growing seasons, however, that is not the case for most of the nation. Fall applications can provide a productive and important source of revenue to end the year. Once spray operations stop, and barring any ancillary income, companies can face a period of uncertainty due to the lack of cash flow. One of the most difficult decisions for employers, at the end of any season, is what to do with the hardworking employees who have provided results for the company and their customers. Non-productive payroll can be unsustainable resulting in seasonal layoffs, contributing to employee turnover in a tough labor market. Extending the treatment window keeps trained employees working, thus reducing, and potentially eliminating, the amount of downtime. Additionally, parked assets cost money. Insurance is a fixed cost, and trucks and equipment depreciate. Fall applications provide an opportunity to keep your crews working, your spray equipment operating, and revenue flowing.
GREAT RESULTS
Fall herbicide applications can be utilized across the country in a variety of ways. Bare-ground programs are most valuable in locations that experience a moderate to significant winter climate. Colder soils are not conducive to herbicide breakdown and most residual herbicides will persist into the spring and early summer. Data trials from Colorado State University have shown that the longevity of control is similar between fall and spring applied programs at the same evaluation intervals throughout the season. Alligare’s newest products, Ballast and Mainline, were included in these studies with excellent results. It is important to note that fall bare-ground applications must be made before the soil freezes, and herbicides should never be applied to frozen or snow-covered soils.
Selective fall applications are beneficial for controlling winter annual weeds. Winter annuals germinate in the fall and winter and grow actively in the spring. Post-emergent herbicides are effective for weeds that are up and actively growing. However, herbicides that offer pre- and post-emergent control, like Alligare’s Whetstone and Chlorsulfuron 75, are preferred to provide extended control. This is extremely important in warmer climate zones due to the extended germination window. Similar to fall bare-ground programs, geographies that experience colder winters will see an extended residual, and oftentimes this will aid in the control of early-germinating summer annuals. If there is frost on the ground, applications should be delayed until the frost subsides. Frost damage and lower temperatures will affect the foliar activity of herbicides and the time it takes to obtain control due to the slowed metabolism of the target species. Therefore, herbicides that provide soil activity are the best option.
The thought of applying herbicides in November and December may be a foreign concept to some applicators, but incorporating fall applications into a vegetation management program is a proven and effective weed control strategy. Take some of the stress out of the spring by giving your customers great results this fall.
Enjoy the foliage.
