On 9/2/03 7:20 AM, in article ,
"Brian Sandle" wrote:

DH: There were some weeds that weren't controlled very well at all
before
Roundup. Common dog bane is one example. It's tough to control even with
Roundup. There are chemicals other than Roundup that can be used in most
cases.

How often does the RR farmer have to buy those extras?

I don't know. A heavy dose of Roundup will control dogbane. The Roundup
has to be applied in doses that are over the label limit for corn. I think
the trick is to spray toward the end of the growing season to minimize the
impact on the corn crop.

DH: Crop and chemical rotation is accepted practice as far as I know.

Not as simple as just RR.

True. There are other reasons to rotate. One is soybeans will leave
behind about 45# of nitrogen per acre for the next year's corn crop.
Another is insect control. There something showing up locally that has no
treatment except rotation. I don't remember what it is. It isn't the
traditional bugs or weeds.
The seed corn companies here won't put their crop into a field that had
corn the previous year.


At cost of what? The plant has to make the RR detoxifier which takes
some of its energy. So where is that made up?

I don't know.

DH: The
farmers would rotate RR beans into corn fields to help control the weeds
that multiply in continuous corn.

RR corn?

I think RR beans were introduced here before the RR corn. I was probaly
thinking back to that time.


DH: Roundup ready beans have made a big change in my area, (Nebraska,
USA).
Weeds used to be a real problem. Whole families of Latinos used to hand
weed the fields to get the weeds not killed by other chemicals or normal
tillage.

So what is their work now?

I don't know. Most were migrant workers. I suppose some back to Mexico,
others to other farm work. It was quite a sight, at times. Grandma and
almost down to toddler stage would be out working.

DH: It's not necessary to rogue beans anymore.

Dog bane may be escaping Roundup control. Now Roundup has killed
other weeds which used to compete with it is it not taking over
more?

Probably in some fields. I really haven't noticed a big increase overall.
I don't pay real close attention. I'm in fields working on irrigation.
Rogueing wasn't too effective for dog bane. It spreads through risones
(sp?) on the roots. Roundup can control it.
My dad had a real bad problem in one field years ago. This was before
Roundup. I think he put winter wheat in that field. He disced the field
following harvest the next summer. Then he used a heavy doses of something
like 2-4D plus something else. Whatever he did helped a lot although I don't
remember the details.


DH: Hybrid corn
came into use decades ago. Apparently, it's a good deal for them and the
seed companies. Several farmers in my area raise seed corn for the seed
companies. It's a hassle but it pays better than commercial corn.
I spend a lot of time in corn and bean fields. The fields are much cleaner
now than in the past due to better chemicals and farming practices.

Though the resistant weeds have fewer competitors and over some
years must be more of a problem.

It's a constant battle. Companies develop and farmers use new sprays.
Rotating chemicals from year to year helps keep each more effective longer.
DH: Some
farmers here no till their crops in. More are switching to no or minimum
till each year. Some don't cultivate at all. They just use spray to control
the weeds. That helps keep the organic matter up and the soil erosion down.

But as I posted no till has been happening here without GM, GM
being illegal still.

Sorry, I missed that post.


DH



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