Arkansas Row Crops Radio · University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture

Weeds AR Wild Podcast S4 Ep 1: Italian Ryegrass Spring Control

·32 min·3 clips

Tom Barber kicks off season four of Weeds Are Wild with weed scientists Bob Scott and Jason Norsworthy.

This episode of Weeds AR Wild focuses on managing Italian ryegrass and other early-season weeds in Arkansas row crops. Host Tom Barber, an Extension Weed Scientist, is joined by fellow weed scientists Dr. Bob Scott and Dr. Jason Norsworthy. The conversation centers on current field conditions and pressing weed control challenges as the planting season begins. The primary topic is effective burndown herbicide applications ahead of crop planting, with Italian ryegrass identified as a major concern. The panel notes that many farmers feel they are already behind schedule despite planters starting to roll. They discuss the critical importance of controlling weeds before they exceed a four-inch height for optimal herbicide efficacy. Specific herbicide programs are mentioned, including the use of glyphosate, Gramoxone, and residual herbicides like Zidua. The experts reference the "Weed of the Week" resource from the University of Arkansas for detailed management guides. A key insight is that ryegrass must be actively growing for systemic herbicides like glyphosate to be effective, which can be problematic during cool, wet springs. The panel emphasizes that adding a residual herbicide to the burndown application is a crucial step often overlooked by growers. They explain that later-emerging weeds, such as Palmer amaranth, can quickly escape control if a residual is not applied at planting. The discussion reveals that weed scientists frequently field the same fundamental questions about application timing and herbicide selection each season. The tone is professional, conversational, and directly educational, aimed at providing actionable recommendations. The style is a technical discussion among experts, grounded in practical field experience. This episode is ideal for Arkansas row crop farmers, agricultural consultants, and extension agents seeking current weed management strategies. Listeners looking for broad agricultural topics or non-technical content might find it too specialized.

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