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Increase crop rotation flexibility with a pre- and post-dormancy herbicide program
As the planting window for winter wheat closes, farmers are preparing to make any final herbicide applications needed to control invasive grass weeds such as cheatgrass (also called downy brome) before the crop goes dormant.
If fall temperatures deliver additional heat units, winter wheat will have one or two more weeks to establish a viable stand before colder weather arrives.
“Hopefully, wheat farmers were able to complete a good burndown to provide a weed-free foundation before planting their winter wheat crop this year,” said Grant Harms, market development specialist with Corteva Agriscience. “If escapes occurred and they need reliable postemergence herbicides that are proven to take down tough grass and broadleaf weeds, Tarzec® herbicide with Arylex® active and PowerFlex® HL herbicide are two of our stalwart products many farmers continue to rely on for powerful cross-spectrum weed control.”
Post-dormancy Weed Control – Planning Ahead
By March or April, when spring weather warms soil temperatures above freezing, winter wheat will break dormancy and begin advancing through growth stages.
After fertilizer applications help kick-start wheat growth, vigilant scouting should be scheduled to keep emerging broadleaf and grass weeds in check.
Harms reminds farmers to think ahead by monitoring commodity markets to identify a crop they could rotate to after wheat harvest that may provide a strong return on investment. Remember, herbicide choices can either expand or limit those rotational options.
"I believe more farmers will be choosing Tolvera herbicide to expand their rotational flexibility to other crops that might provide that much-needed profit potential," Harms said. "It is a trial-proven herbicide for effective broadleaf and grass weed control in spring and winter wheat, durum and barley. It also features two modes of action: tolpyralate, an active ingredient new to the cereals market, and bromoxynil.”
In 2024, North Dakota State University conducted research confirming the effective control Tolvera® herbicide had on key driver weeds such as prickly lettuce, kochia and Russian thistle.
"It's encouraging to hear farmers talk about the positive weed control they see in their fields after applying Tolvera herbicide," Harms said. "That not only reflects our internal research data but also confirms third-party data from Extension research cooperators across North and South Dakota."
Getting that powerful weed control and rotational flexibility to other crops, including sugarbeets, a key crop in the Red River Valley and other areas including eastern North Dakota, should help make herbicide selection decisions easier for farmers in wheat-growing regions moving into 2026.
Log on to CerealHerbicides.Corteva.us or visit with your Corteva Agriscience sales representative to learn more about Tolvera herbicide and the entire portfolio of Corteva Agriscience crop protection solutions.
PowerFlex® HL, Tarzec® and Tolvera® are not registered for sale or use in all states. Contact your state pesticide regulatory agency to determine if a product is registered for sale or use in your state. Arylex® is a registered active ingredient. Always read and follow label directions.
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