Spring Burndown and Tank Cleanout

CL #67, April 2015

In No-Till fields, burndown is the only way to go. Burndown options are many, however the fields need to be clean for the up-coming planting season whether you use Glyphosate, Paraquat, 2.4-D, Dicamba, Canopy products or the old standards which include Atrazine, Sencor, Sceptor and First Rate.

Burndown Weather Conditions

The effectiveness of burndown herbicide applications can be reduced by cold temperatures. On the first warm day, field conditions may look as if they are ready to begin field work, but temperatures may not be ideal for that weed control needed.

It is a known fact that delaying burndown herbicide applications until warmer temperatures arrive, preferably when nighttime temperatures are above 38°F and  daytime temperatures are in the high 50’s to low 60’s, is beneficial.  Let’s face it, you get anxious to spray on the first warm day.  Wait one day…spray on the next warm day, weed control can be more effective that way.

In addition, application of herbicides in colder temperatures may cause varying weed control.  Controlling tougher no-till weeds is difficult when herbicides are applied.  It is known that if weeds survive the initial burndown they may harden off and become less susceptible to future applications.

Tank Mixes and Plant-back Restrictions

Early burndown herbicide applications work well together when you combine several herbicides… along with increased herbicide rates and warm temperatures.  Single-herbicide applications are more prone to weather related problems.

Typical tank mix partners with Roundup^® for burndown ahead of corn and soybeans is 2,4-D or Dicamba.  Generally, 2,4-D needs to be applied at least 7-days prior to planting corn or soybeans. Dicamba on corn has no plant back restrictions, other than the herbicide should not come in contact with the seed.  However, in soybeans, Dicamba labels vary in plant-back restrictions.  It is recommended that after a field receives an accumulated total rainfall of 1 inch following the burndown application, Dicamba plant back restrictions may be from 14 to 28 days depending on the rate applied.  Always refer to the individual herbicide labels for all instructions, including plant-back restrictions.

Burndown Tank Mixes just prior to planting

Tank mixes of 2,4-D or Dicamba with Roundup^® and residual herbicide (i.e. Valor^®, Gangster^®, Authority^®, Assist) in a burndown application can help to control tough weeds such as marestail, giant ragweed, and water hemp.  These herbicide mixes, including the residual herbicide, are recommended to be sprayed about 1 to 3 weeks prior to planting, to allow time for residue decomposition. Take into account that applying the burndown application on fields too early may allow weed regrowth.  This would also cause the residual herbicide activity to not stay in the soil into the growing season.  This has an effect of causing weed emergence issues in early summer.   Read and follow pesticide labels and see your dealer or Atlantic-Pacific Ag rep for advice on using Hook during your spring burndown.

The key to effective weed control is using the right tank mix additive (adjuvant).   HOOK Multi-Purpose Adjuvant works best with no-till herbicides for burndown.

Using HOOK at the 1-3 quart rate in No-Till fields with your selected herbicides will make your weed control more worry-free.  HOOK is “the” Multi-Functional adjuvant to use.  It has droplet specific functions in that the tank spray with HOOK will seek out those weeds in the messy field debris to coat, stick, penetrate and kill better than any other additive.   You don’t need to use COC (Crop Oil Concentrate), Ammonium Sulfate or any other Non-ionic surfactants when you can use HOOK, the Multi-Functional Adjuvant.

Spray Tank Cleanout is a Must After Each Use Especially after Herbicides

Herbicide spray contamination can be costly for growers.  High-value crop production can be jeopardized if spray tanks are not cleaned after each use before spraying again.  Having a designated sprayer for each crop is the ideal condition, but for many growers it is not a reality.  When using the sprayer for a different crop or when changing herbicides, the grower needs to be absolutely sure the previous chemicals are removed from the spray system.

After each herbicide spray and when changing to a different type of pesticide, the sprayer should be cleaned thoroughly. The outside and inside should be cleaned. For many herbicides, spray tank cleanout procedures can vary. Check the pesticide label for the proper cleaning instructions.

First remove pesticide from tanks, examine the tank thoroughly, fill tank with water, and add the spray tank cleaner.  Rinse spray tanks, boom, and hoses with clean water. Loosen and physically remove any visible deposits.  Circulate the solution through the system for a few minutes and let a small amount go through the nozzles. Allow the remainder of the solution to stand at least six hours, and then pump it through the nozzles. Remove the nozzles and strainers and flush the system twice with clean water. There are recommendations on some pesticide labels that all hoses and rubber parts be replaced when changing crops. These items may absorb the 2,4-D, dicamba and similar materials and potentially release residues unknowingly when applying the next pesticide.

Rinsates from cleaned equipment contain pesticides and can be harmful to people and the environment. Do not allow rinsates to flow into water systems, including sink or floor drains, storm sewers, wells, streams, lakes, or rivers. Collect rinsates and apply them to labeled sites at or below labeled rates. If possible, consider rinsing your equipment at the application site and applying the rinsate to the labeled site. The rinsate cannot be added to a pesticide mixture, since the tank cleaner may have chemicals that may reduce future spray tank herbicidal activity.

• Atlantic-Pacific Ag’s WORK-HORSE Tank Cleaner is a proven spray tank cleaner to rid your tank of 2,4-D, Dicamba and Glyphosate residues.   Follow pesticide cleanout and tank cleaner label directions for cleaning spray tank, nozzles and equipment.
• Work-Horse is a neutralizer that will flush out pesticide residue easily.
• Work-Horse can be left in the tank longer to clean built up-residue. Then pump out and rinse per the label directions.
• Work-Horse contains a polymer to keep the pump parts working well and help the pesticide stay in suspension longer. Work-Horse does not contain ammonia, bleach, alcohol, or chlorine.
• Remember to always triple rinse to clean spray tanks effectively.

Contact your local distributor or www.atlantic-pacificag.com to locate your nearest dealer.

CL #67 Spring Burndown and Spray Tank Cleanout Online Version

Vol. 9 #1