There are several factors to consider to make your harvest easier and to ensure your crop is marketable. P&H can guide you through these decisions and help you select the right strategy for your farm.
Pre-harvest herbicides serve two primary purposes: weed control and crop dry down.
Hard-to-control perennials such as Canada thistle and quackgrass are best managed in the fall when leaf area is at its maximum. This is particularly important for cereal crops, where crop staging is critical; pre-harvest application should occur when the crop is at 30% or less moisture content. At this stage, pressing the kernel with your nail will leave a dent.
Pre-harvest products like diquat and saflufenacil can help dry out the plant, accelerate maturity and streamline the harvesting process. Desiccation can also mitigate uneven crop growth and control weeds. However, glyphosate should not be used for desiccation purposes as it is ineffective (taking over two weeks to dry down) and can leave residues in the grain if absorbed by an immature crop.
For crops like soybeans or dry beans, desiccants can help dry the plant, speed up overall maturity and make harvesting easier. Desiccation can also enhance crop quality by promoting uniform maturity and controlling perennial weeds.
Crop staging is crucial regardless of the products you use. Ensure you consult with your local P&H Expert before application to determine the best approach for your farm.
| Crop | Glyphosate | Saflufenacil | Diquat | Glufosinate |
| Canola | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Wheat | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Barley | Yes | Malt – Consult with grain company Feed – Yes |
No | No |
| Oats | Consult with grain company | No | No | No |
| Peas | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Soybeans | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Chickpeas | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Potatoes | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Flax | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Lentils | Yes | Yes (Red lentils only) | Yes | No |
| Alfalfa | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Fababeans | Yes | No | Yes | No |
| Dry bean | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Cereal Seed Crops | No | No | No | No |
When considering pre-harvest products like glyphosate, saflufenacil or diquat, it is important to pinpoint what exactly you are trying to accomplish and in which crops. It is very important to check the declarations of grain buyers to see if they will accept grain treated with certain products. P&H will work with you through these considerations and help you pick a product that will meet your operation’s needs.
For more information on pre-harvest products and timing, Keep it Clean has some great tools and resources. Check out their 5 Tips to Keep Your Crops Market-Ready.