43 Story Idea? Email Paul.Nolan@Farms.com Better Farming | March 2024 Understanding the soil residual nature of a herbicide is important to minimize rotational problems that may arise. Keeping an accurate record of herbicide application, including rates, fields, dates and each herbicide in a mix, should be done to assist with planning crop rotations and managing other aspects such as weed resistance. When planning the next crop, producers should keep in mind recropping restrictions and herbicide carry-over from previous years. Crop rotation is important and beneficial in many areas, including rotating herbicide groups. By increasing rotations, you can change the herbicides that are applied to your operation. This assists with many aspects of farm management. Rotating herbicides helps reduce resistant weeds, helps soil residual herbicides and maintains their efficacy. Keeping a proper record of herbicide application and using it in the winter to plan your crop rotation will help you avoid recropping restrictions, limiting the stressors your crop faces in the field. Online resources include the Herbicide Carryover Risk Level Map from the Government of Saskatchewan. The Government of Manitoba also provides herbicide carryover risk maps, which can be used to support producers in making decisions on herbicide and crop rotations for the upcoming season. The Saskatchewan map is based on rainfall received through the growing season and relies heavily on crop reporters for rainfall records. There are many rural municipalities that do not have reporters, so the more individuals that volunteer to be a crop reporter, the more accurately we can cover the province. Sign up to be a crop reporter for the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture. Each week, crop reporters spend five to 10 minutes filling out a survey. The surveys can be completed online, by email, fax, or by calling the Agricultural Knowledge Centre: 1-866-457-2377. The majority of questions are based on conditions within the rural municipality or surrounding crop district and can be filled out quickly using personal experience combined with updates from neighbours and clients in the area. The Saskatchewan Guide to Crop Protection is also a great resource when looking into the recropping restrictions associated with different herbicides. For more questions about recropping restrictions for herbicides, contact your local agronomist or crops extension specialist. BF Ag Insights ERICA YASKOWICH Erica Yaskowich is a crops extension specialist with the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture based in Kindersley, Sask.
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