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“Sugarbeet Report” presented by NDSU Extension, features growing tips from NDSU sugar beet specialists and researchers.
This is the Sugarbeet Report, bringing you the latest information from NDSU throughout the sugar beet growing season. So far, sugar beet planting activity has been greatest in the South and less in the North due to cold soils, cold air temperatures, and fields where deep frost has not totally come out of the soil. Today, Tom Peters, NDSU and University of Minnesota Extension Sugarbeet Agronomist, will address the season's most frequently asked questions. Question one, Tom. Do growers need to be concerned about stand issues with soil residual herbicides applied pre emergence with the cold temperatures?
Tom Peters:I really appreciate that question, Bruce, and here's why. So many years ago we had a herbicide, a soil residual herbicide that was used in early April. And we had cold temperatures just like the temperatures that we're currently receiving. But we also had very wet conditions. So cold and wet affected our stands. So I want everybody to know that is not the situation we're in right now. Sure, it's cold out, but it isn't as wet as it was in 2002. I want growers to be confident when they apply soil residual herbicides. And I also want to remind you, it's the May. I feel very confident that it will warm up and we'll have good stands, our soil residual herbicides will control weeds and not affect our crops.
Bruce Sundeen:Question two. What are the trade offs between activating ethafumisate with tillage versus rainfall?
Tom Peters:In a perfect scenario, we would apply it to the soil surface and let a rain event activate ethafumisate. In a perfect scenario. Unfortunately, the forecast looks to be dry for the next seven days, maybe ten days, maybe longer. And I think for that reason, for the forecast, we should consider incorporating our herbicide. Now incorporation of herbicide is different than doing tillage, especially when our target pest is waterhemp. So we need to keep the tillage very, very shallow. I like to say, Bruce, we're not doing tillage, we're incorporating a herbicide. So keep it very shallow. We don't want to dilute the product out. I also recommend rates in the four, five and six pint area if you're going to incorporate. You can use less rates but keep it on the soil surface, and hopefully, you'll be fortunate to get rainfall.
Bruce Sundeen:And number three, have you seen any waterhemp yet? Farmers usually send you pictures. Right?
Tom Peters:It's interesting. The May 1 is usually when the first pictures come. I've received one picture so far, and it is indeed waterhemp. So it's out there. But what's occurring this year, and I've already alluded to it, it's been very cool out. Second, it's been dry out. Waterhemp likes warmer soil temperatures and it likes moisture and we haven't received either of them. So the bottom line is there is very, very little evidence of waterhemp so far. Now that stated, it's going to be coming. Don't worry about that. It'll eventually get here. So let's stick to the plan. Follow the herbicide program that you plan during the winter months, during the mating season. Stick to the plan because waterhemp will be here. As it relates to other weeds, I see common lambsquarters. That's fairly common right now. There's a little bit of kochia, but even that hasn't been as plentiful as it normally is. It's the cool temperatures, Bruce.
Bruce Sundeen:Thanks, Tom. Our guest has been Tom Peters, NDSU and University of Minnesota extension sugar beet agronomist. This is the Sugarbeet Report, bringing you the latest information from NDSU throughout the sugar beet growing season.