Managing Weeds in Early Planted Soybeans

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Early planted soybeans

“Research and on-farm experience is showing us that earlier planting is providing opportunity for higher soybean yields,” says Jeff Moon, market development specialist, Corteva Agriscience. “But a longer growing season may require tweaks to customers’ weed control programs.”  

When it comes to early planted soybeans, field scouting and herbicide application timing are often the keys to success. Your customers will likely need to consider additional herbicide applications and the use of layered residuals to keep weeds at bay.  

This is how the Enlist® weed control system can be very beneficial to farmers looking to take advantage of early planted soybeans. Enlist herbicides can be applied on Enlist E3® soybeans from burndown through postemergence, and the labeled application window for Enlist herbicides is based on crop growth stage with no calendar cutoff dates.

But whichever seed your customers choose to plant, Moon says, it’s important to begin the season with a good preemergence herbicide to keep the field clean. Layered residuals are also a critical component in season-long weed control programs.  

“In early planted soybean fields, Sonic is a great herbicide to start with following burndown,” Moon says.  

Sonic® herbicide delivers long-lasting residual control when applied in fall, spring or up to three days postplant before the soybean emerges. It’s also proven to perform in a variety of soil types.

“In early planted soybeans, the clock starts ticking on the length of weed control offered by preemergence herbicides, so it’s important to scout your fields to get the proper timing on post applications,” Moon says. “EverpreX is a great tank-mix partner for a postemergence pass and as a layered residual component.”  

EverpreX® herbicide gives farmers flexible application options to improve efficiency. This includes a wide application window — including early preplant, preplant incorporated, preemergence and postemergence (up to 90 days before harvest) — and an easy-to-use formulation that is compatible with many other soybean herbicides.

Work with your customers to ensure there’s a plan in place to control weeds throughout the soybean-growing season and to reap the production benefits of those early planted fields.  


The transgenic soybean event in Enlist E3® soybeans is jointly developed and owned by Corteva Agriscience LLC and MS Technologies, L.L.C. Enlist Duo® and Enlist One® herbicides are not registered for sale or use in all states or counties. Contact your state pesticide regulatory agency to determine if a product is registered for sale or use in your area. Enlist Duo and Enlist One herbicides are the only 2,4-D products authorized for use with Enlist® crops. Consult Enlist herbicide labels for weed species controlled. Elevore® and Sonic® are not registered for sale or use in all states. Contact your state pesticide regulatory agency to determine if a product is registered for sale or use in your state. Consult the label before purchase or use for full details. Always read and follow label directions.