David and Adam Maas are proud to be early adopters of new technology, so it's not surprising they were quick to try Roundup Ready® Xtend Technology. The father-son duo, who farm a corn/soybean rotation near Arlington, Nebraska, and also run a seed business, say marestail was their most prolific weed several years ago. Waterhemp followed. This year, marestail was back.
While their weed pressure may change from season to season, their approach to controlling it does not. Today's Acre caught up with David and Adam for more on their experiences with Roundup Ready Xtend Technology.
David: As soon as it was introduced I thought it was likely the right way for us to go. We use a pre-burndown, and we want to get the weeds before they germinate, so we've been planting into clean fields. Then, we spray when weeds are small. And we always go by the label.
Adam: When I was growing up, Roundup® [brand agricultural herbicide] was the game changer. [An approved formulation of] dicamba is that today, with a different mode of action for keeping weeds at bay. We're early adopters and really embraced the product. We made sure we followed the label. We also use multiple modes of action. I really don't want resistance, so we rotate to avoid exhausting any one mode of action.
David: It's great. You can start when beans are a little smaller, then get out of the field. Mother Nature will do the rest.
Adam: Using products like Warrant® Herbicide to get residual control into the post-spraying period is really important. You really have to knock the weeds down and keep pressure at bay. XtendiMax with VaporGrip Technology does a really good job. It really burns down the weeds so the soybeans can take over and close the canopy. We have a nice-looking field, at the end of the day.
David: Clean fields make me feel better, like I did a good job.
Adam: Obviously, we want to be good stewards of the land. When you start with clean fields, you know you've got a good jump on weed pressure. You can really tell which fields have used dicamba [an approved formulation] and which have not. Those that didn't really make the combines growl.
David: Our yields have been good. I think they've got top genetics, which has really helped increase yields.
Adam: There's definitely a yield advantage with the best technology and best soybean varieties you can buy. We've seen a yield increase for sure.
David: The results. It just really does a good job, and I can show people that it will improve their weed control. As a seed dealer, if I didn't think it was the best product, I wouldn't be endorsing it. I'm really satisfied.
Adam: Resistant weeds are such a persistent issue that you really have to use XtendiMax with VaporGrip Technology. It's following in the footsteps of Roundup herbicides. On our farm, Roundup Ready 2 Xtend soybeans have shown great yield gains, and the weed control with XtendiMax with VaporGrip Technology has been impressive. It's a no-brainer.
1 On certain small-seeded broadleaf weeds. Results may vary, depending on rainfall and soil type. Always use dicamba with traditional residual herbicides in pre-emergence and postemergence applications that have different effective sites of action, along with other Diversified Weed Management Practices.
Row Crops and Wine Grapes Pair Well on Missouri Farm.
Protecting the pollinators that play a vital role in farming and food production.
Roundup Ready® Xtend Technology combines high-yielding genetics with effective weed control.
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