When it comes to crop success, timing is everything. That’s especially true during the early growing season, when weed pressure, weather extremes and nutrient needs are all in play. In the latest episode of the "Stine® Seedcast," Stine Technical Agronomist Tony Lenz discusses what growers should be prioritizing now and how early decisions can make a long-term difference.
With more than two decades at Stine, he has seen a lot of variability from one growing season to the next. But one thing remains constant: evaluating the crop early gives you options.
“It’s critical for growers to get out and do stand counts. We need to see that the crop came up. Evaluating it early allows the grower more time to replant, if necessary.”
Tony Lenz, Stine Technical Agronomist
Along with stand evaluations, he encourages growers to watch for signs of nitrogen deficiency, especially in fields that experienced excess moisture or where growers did not apply sufficient nitrogen preplant. Yellowing corn plants could be a sign it’s time to side-dress.
When it comes to weed control, a solid plan is essential, but so is flexibility. Lenz shares how fields with a pre-emerge herbicide program may have more flexibility to delay post-emerge applications, while others — especially those relying solely on a post-herbicide program or experiencing dry conditions — might already be seeing aggressive weed growth.
“We want to hit those weeds when they’re pop-can size or smaller,” he notes. “But in some areas, it’s been too cold or wet to get in, and those weeds are already pushing the labeled height recommendations for post-herbicide applications. So, you have to weigh the timing carefully, especially if your crop is stressed. If your crop is stressed, you probably need to change your post-application chemistry and make sure you’re getting multiple modes of action to kill these taller weeds.”
No matter where your fields are in the growth cycle, Stine’s agronomy team is here to help.
“Right now, I’m out in the fields looking at new products, and I’m looking at them in plot and whole-field situations. This is how we can stay ahead of challenges and help our growers do the same.”
Tony Lenz, Stine Technical Agronomist
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