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Determining the Impact of Herbicide Decisions on Yields Pioneer Encourages Growers to Watch Yield Monitors During Harvest to Determine the Success of their Herbicide Program Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. www.pioneer.com. Des Moines, Iowa (August 14, 2002) - Growers that used a pre-emergence herbicide to manage grass pressure this year are encouraged to evaluate the effectiveness of their choice by watching their yield monitor at harvest. While combining their fields, growers can determine if their herbicide program worked effectively and if not, how that affects yield and the bottom line. "Growers need to know if their pre-emergence grass herbicide has provided the season-long weed control that was promised last spring," says David Saunders, product development manager for DuPont Agriculture & Nutrition. "If you have a yield monitor, survey your field to look for the weedy patches and note them." If growers are seeing heavy grass pressure at harvest, they may need to re-evaluate their herbicide program. "We suggest that a grower moves toward using a reduced rate of a pre-emergence grass herbicide and following up with a post treatment that controls both grass and broadleaf weeds," says Saunders. "This program offers weather flexibility, is long-lasting and offers the broad-spectrum weed control that is needed in their fields. It is important to not only watch your yield monitor, but to also note what grass species you are seeing. This will help you make better herbicide selections next year." Saunders points out that once grasses reach four inches or taller, they can begin to compete with the corn for moisture and nutrients which has an impact on yield. A two-pass program consisting of a reduced rate pre-emergence herbicide and followed with a post-emergence application gives the most consistent and effective grass control. "Pre-emerge herbicides are not always dependable," says Saunders. "Rain is needed for activation and in dry conditions, growers will find that they do not get the reach-back activity to take down later emerging weeds. In these conditions harvest can be an eye-opening experience." Yield Monitors A yield monitor is an effective tool for determining the true cost of weed infestation in a field. Yield monitors offer a feature called field markers, which allows growers to note anything they see that might have an impact on yield, whether that be grass pressure, wet spots or thin soil. "When a grower comes upon a grassy patch they can simply switch on the field marker and note the patch," says Tom Doerge, agronomy research manager for Pioneer Hi-Bred International Inc. "After harvest the grower can go back and compare the field marker map with the yield map and identify how grass pressure has impacted yield. Until we had yield monitors, no one understood the normal variations of yield in fields. We now have the tool to allow us to accurately identify where grass and weed pressure is impacting yield." Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., a subsidiary of DuPont, is the world's leading source of customized solutions for farmers, livestock producers and grain and oilseed processors. With headquarters in Des Moines, Iowa, Pioneer provides access to advanced plant genetics, crop protection solutions and quality crop systems to customers in nearly 70 countries. During 2002, DuPont is celebrating its 200th year of scientific achievement and innovation - providing products and services that improve the lives of people everywhere. Based in Wilmington, Del., DuPont delivers science-based solutions for markets that make a difference in people's lives in the areas of food and nutrition, health care, apparel, home and construction, electronics and transportation. Contact:
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