Preharvest weed control or crop desiccation?

Hard-to-control perennials such as Canada Thistle and Quackgrass are best controlled during the fall when leaf area is at is maximum. This is the primary reason pre-harvest should be considered in crops such as cereals with crop staging being critical.

For wheat, preharvest application can only occur when the crop is at 30% or less moisture content. This is usually three to five days before you would normally swath. At this stage, if you press the kernel with your nail it will leave a dent in it.

For crops like soybeans or dry beans you may choose to use a desiccant to help dry out the plant, accelerate the overall maturity and increase ease of harvesting process. Desiccation can also improve crop quality by aiding in uniform maturity and controlling perennial weeds. It’s important to note that glyphosate is not to be used for desiccating purposes. Not only is it ineffective, (takes over two weeks to dry down) but it gets absorbed by an immature crop which leads to residues in the grain.

Crop staging is critical no matter which products you are using. Ensure you speak to your local P&H Sales Consultant prior to application.

Where are pre-harvest products allowed?

Talk to your Grain Buyer

When considering pre-harvest products, it is important to pinpoint what exactly you are trying to accomplish, and in which crops. It is also very important to check the declarations of grain buyers to see if they will accept grain treated with certain products. P&H will work with you through these considerations and help you pick a product that will meet your operation’s needs.

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