The hot dry conditions this spring have made it weed control tough in the region and it could continue to be a challenge if the weather pattern persists. SDSU Extension Weed Science Coordinator Paul Johnson says many farmers have had to run irrigation systems just to activate the herbicides and even then the performance of pre-emergent products has been disappointing.

He says post emergent products aren’t as effective with this weather either. He says farmers can apply their post products early to get ahead of the weeds and hopefully they’ll get a rain to activate both the pres and posts.

Johnson reminds farmers the cutoff dates for dicamba are coming up, in South Dakota its June 30. He says the next couple of days might be the best chance for spraying as its supposed to cool down slightly.

Johnson says in counties that have been designated as having Endangered Species they need to expand their buffer spraying areas which will make it even more difficult to get those dicamba applications done.

drought