Sugarbeet Producer Conversations the First Half of May (05/12/22)
My unofficial tally indicates 20,000 planted acres or approximately 3% of projected 2022 sugarbeet acres as of May 10. The 2021 crop was largely planted before May 10 and I was writing about the lack of rainfall to incorporate herbicides into soil one year ago. Each season is different and with it brings a unique set of questions from our stakeholders. The following are a summary.
Q1. Are there new sugarbeet herbicides in 2022?
A1. The products used to control weeds in 2021 will be the same products in 2022. Two modifications are a Stinger HL, a 5-pound gallon formulation compared to 3-pound gallon with Stinger. Second, PowerMax3 is a 4.80 pound ae (acid equivalent) gallon formulation compared to 4.50 pound ae gallon formulation with PowerMax.
Q2. How does planting in mid-May change weed management compared to planting in mid-April?
A2. We might control early emerging kochia and common lambsquarters with tillage in mid-April but the pigweeds will emerge immediately following soil disturbance and planting in mid- and late-May. Thus, soil residual herbicides must be used at planting, either preplant or preemergence.
Q3. Is rainfall or tillage best to incorporate ethofumesate?
A3. I prefer rainfall but rainfall needs to be timely, especially since waterhemp will germinate and emerge following tillage due to later than normal planting in 2022. Tillage must be shallow since waterhemp germinates from the surface to 1-inch. Use ethofumesate at a minimum of 4 pint per acre, if you intend to incorporate with tillage equipment.
Q4. Many acres were sown with fall-seeded cover crops in 2021, mostly winter rye. Our intention was to plant into the rye but actively manage the rye and terminate after stooling and before it reached 4- to 6-inch tall. We intended to terminate in mid-May (now). How does late plant change our plans?
A4. Actively manage rye. Many producers seeded at approximately 10 lb per acre, so the rye has not become sod. However, rye may affect sugarbeet planting, especially seed placement. Be prepared to terminate rye before plant if rain continues.
Q5. Producers reported dry soil on the surface and tilled their fields in preparation for planting. However, tillage brings up moist/muddy soil creating an undesirable seedbed. Any suggestions?
A5. Shallow tillage using a narrow shovel may break the surface crust and enable further drying without carrying wet soil/mud to the surface. A vertical tillage tool or a multi-weeder may be another solution.
Q6. Many producers have suggested vertical tillage tools to shallow incorporate ethofumesate into soil before plant. Are there any watch outs?
A6. Spring tillage removes weeds so that planting can be done in a weed-free seed bed. Shovels without sweeps or vertical tillage tools may not control early emerging weeds like kochia or common lambsquarters. Scout your fields and be prepared to use glyphosate products before the 2-lf stage.
Extension Sugarbeet Agronomist
NDSU & U of MN
