We recognize that the last few seasons have been tough. Commodity prices are struggling and herbicides can be expensive. It’s all about the bottom line, and in times like these it can be tempting to rationalize that by spending less on herbicides. But, as the saying goes, “Don’t cut off your nose to spite your face.” You may wind up doing exactly that if you try to cut costs with generic, ineffective herbicides – and may be spending more money in the long run.
We know it seems counter-intuitive that spending less money is actually costing you more. It’s true though, and the hit comes from two sides.
First, the front end: If the herbicide you put down is ineffective, you’ll have to spend more money on another application of a different effective active ingredient. It will likely have been less expensive to put down the single application of the effective herbicide to begin with.
Then, the back end: You may be costing yourself yield. Effective herbicides wipe out weeds fast, allowing the crop to grow with as little competition as possible. In the end, this means more yield, and that means more money. If you use an ineffective herbicide and your fields are littered with weeds at harvest, you’re costing yourself yield and money.
To add insult to injury, any weed escapes that grew large enough to go to seed would add to your weed seed bank. Now you’ve got something else to worry about next season, and that’s just more money spent.
When it comes to herbicides, think long-term; don’t cut off your nose to spite your face by going with cheap herbicides.
A top-down, end-of-season photo of a bare-ground trial in Columbia, Mo., shows the effectiveness of various herbicides.