Connect with agricultural professionals, share pest control experiences, and get expert advice on chemical applications and IPM strategies.
Posted by TexasFarmer82 · 47 replies
Pre-emergent herbicides containing atrazine or acetochlor are highly effective for crabgrass control in corn. Apply before soil temperatures reach 55°F at a 2-inch depth for best results. Always check your local state restrictions on atrazine use, as several states have buffer zone requirements near water bodies. Tank-mixing with a residual grass herbicide such as dimethenamid-P can extend control through the full growing season.
Posted by SorghumGrower · 31 replies
Resistance management is critical once you see reduced efficacy from organophosphates. Rotate to a different mode of action — neonicotinoids (Group 4A) or sulfoxaflor (Group 4C) work well on aphids and have minimal cross-resistance. Consider also implementing a threshold-based spray program rather than calendar sprays to reduce selection pressure. Beneficial insects like parasitic wasps can be preserved by avoiding broad-spectrum sprays during their peak activity periods.
Posted by WheatProducer · 28 replies
Tank mixing is common at heading, but you need to check compatibility before mixing — run a jar test first. At heading, bee safety is paramount: avoid applying insecticides with acute bee toxicity (pyrethroids, organophosphates) when flowers are open. Triazole fungicides like propiconazole or tebuconazole are safe to apply at this timing. Always read both product labels and observe the most restrictive restrictions when tank mixing.
Posted by SafetyFirst2025 · 19 replies
At minimum, restricted-use pesticide (RUP) applicators must wear chemical-resistant gloves, long-sleeved shirts, long pants, chemical-resistant footwear, and a hat. Many RUPs also require a half-face respirator with organic vapor cartridges during mixing and loading. The specific PPE is always listed on the product label — the label is the law. Texas TDA requires all commercial applicators to maintain their PPE in proper working condition and replace respirator cartridges per the manufacturer schedule.
Posted by PrecisionAg · 52 replies
Start by measuring your sprayer's output: collect water from one nozzle for one minute, multiply by the number of nozzles, and compare to your target GPA. Use the formula: GPA = (GPM x 5940) / (MPH x nozzle spacing in inches). Check all nozzles for uniformity — replace any that deviate more than 10% from the average. Calibrate in the field conditions you'll be spraying to account for terrain and tractor speed variation.
Posted by CropConsultant · 14 replies
Glyphosate carries a 4-hour REI, meaning workers cannot enter treated fields for 4 hours after application. REIs are mandated by the EPA Worker Protection Standard (WPS) and must be posted at the field or facility. Ignoring REI requirements can result in fines from your state department of agriculture. For crops close to harvest, also check the pre-harvest interval (PHI) — glyphosate PHI varies by crop and can range from 1 day to 7+ days.
Posted by AgSafetyOfficer · 23 replies
Store pesticides in their original, labeled containers in a locked, well-ventilated building away from heat sources and direct sunlight. Liquid formulations should be stored above 40°F to prevent crystallization. Keep herbicides separated from insecticides and fungicides to prevent cross-contamination. Maintain a current inventory list and Safety Data Sheets (SDS) accessible to all employees. Bulk containers must have secondary containment capable of holding 110% of the largest container volume.
Posted by SustainableFarmer · 38 replies
IPM combines biological, cultural, mechanical, and chemical tools to manage pests while minimizing economic and environmental risks. Start with regular field scouting to identify pest species and population levels, then apply treatment only when populations exceed economic injury thresholds (EIT). Rotate chemical modes of action each season to delay resistance. Incorporate cover crops, crop rotation, and beneficial insect habitat to reduce pest pressure naturally. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension publishes crop-specific IPM guides for Texas producers.
Posted by CottonCountry · 61 replies
Palmer amaranth is notorious for developing herbicide resistance, particularly to glyphosate (Group 9) and ALS inhibitors (Group 2). The most effective current programs layer multiple modes of action: apply a soil-applied residual (Group 5 or Group 14) pre-emergence, followed by a POST application of a Group 27 herbicide (HPPD inhibitor) or Group 15 herbicide. Mechanical cultivation between rows also provides supplemental control. Avoid relying on any single mode of action for more than two consecutive seasons.
Posted by EnvironCompliance · 17 replies
Texas TDA enforces label buffer zones near aquatic environments, which vary by product. Most herbicides with aquatic toxicity require a 50-150 foot no-spray buffer from surface water. Certain insecticides require up to 300 foot buffers. The EPA label governs — any state rules that are more restrictive also apply. Spray drift is a major compliance concern: use low-drift nozzles, avoid spraying when wind speeds exceed 10 mph, and add a drift-reduction adjuvant when required by the label.