The Saskatchewan Wheat Development Commission (Sask Wheat) is reminding Saskatchewan wheat producers to only use products registered for pre-harvest application of weed management to dry down weeds such as volunteer canola in wheat crops, and to always apply these products according to the label.
“I have heard from several farmers that volunteer canola is a problem this year,” says Laura Reiter, Sask Wheat Chair. “There are several options available to them for pre-harvest weed management, but they have to make sure they are spraying registered products when the crop is at the right stage, and are allowing for the right interval between spraying and harvest.”
Similar to applying pre-harvest glyphosate, producers mustalways wait until seed moisture content is less than 30 per cent in the least mature areas of the crop before applying other herbicides. Traces of the product can be absorbed by the plant, leaving residues behind if applied when the moisture content is above 30 percent.
“At this time of year, always talk to your grain buyer or local elevators to see what is acceptable when you are delivering it later in the year,” adds Reiter. “What you do now can have an impact on Canada’s ability to export our wheat to global markets, many of which have low thresholds for several of the products we use.”
Prior to spraying for pre-harvest weed management in wheat, remember the following information:
- Products containing glufosinate are not registered on wheat and cannot be applied to wheat under any circumstances.
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Products containing saflufenacil are acceptable for pre-harvest application
- Weeds controlled for pre-harvest weed management include improved dry down of volunteer canola (all types including Roundup Ready), common ragweed, Canada fleabane, redroot pigweed, and wild buckwheat.
- Pre-Harvest Interval (PHI) - harvest should not occur until at least three (3) days following application
For more information on keeping our crops ready for export markets, including a crop staging guide, please consult the Keep It Clean campaign.
