Success StoryWeed Management Decisions to Protect Economical Crop Yield



Weed Management Decisions to Protect Economical Crop Yield

Author: Jonathan Green

Planning Unit: Plant and Soil Sciences

Major Program: Integrated Pest Management

Outcome: Intermediate Outcome

As soybean and corn prices have risen the past few years, the importance of making sound weed management decisions to protect crop yields has become even more critical.  Crop yield losses due to weed competition can cause considerably higher economic losses than in past years when commodity prices were lower.  For example, with current soybean prices over $16.00 per bushel and yields at 60 bu/A a 10% loss in crop yield due to inadequate weed control can result in a potential economic loss of $96.00 per acre.  Furthermore, with corn prices at $7.00 per bushel and yields at 200 bu/A a 10% loss in potential crop yield due to reduced weed control can result in an economic loss of $140.00 per acre.  Avoiding crop yield losses due to weeds have become more challenging and complex during the past few years due to the development of herbicide resistant weeds that has limited the use of some cost effective herbicide options, particularly in geographical areas such as Kentucky where no-till crop protection is heavily practiced. Supply chain issues this season have also limited the availability of some key products needed for effective weed management programs.   Since last fall when supply chain issues were emerging, educational efforts through crop production meetings, webinars, news articles, and one-on-one consultations have been on going to help producers, crop consultants, pesticide applicators and other agribusiness personnel help navigate through this complex web of weed management decisions to minimize costly yield losses due to inadequate weed control.






Stories by Jonathan Green


"In The Weeds with IPM" for ANR Agents

about 10 months ago by Jonathan Green

Beginning in 2021 a Zoom session titled “In The Weeds” was initiated for Agriculture and Natural Res... Read More


Stories by Plant and Soil Sciences


2022 Kentucky Backgrounding Short Course Creates over $50,000 in Additional Profits

2022 Kentucky Backgrounding Short Course Creates over $50,000 in Additional Profits

about 10 months ago by Jimmy Henning

2022 Kentucky Backgrounding Short CourseJeff Lehmkuhler, Katie VanValin, Michelle Arnold, Jimmy Henn... Read More


Improving Hay quality for the producer and consumer in Eastern Kentucky

Improving Hay quality for the producer and consumer in Eastern Kentucky

about 10 months ago by Jimmy Henning

UK Specialist/Agent/Industry Partnership Results in successful hay day at the Robinson Center for Ap... Read More