Weed Management Updates for Better Crop Control

By Scout Nelson

Weed management updates for the 2026 growing season are shared by Eric Yu, UMN Extension Crops Educator, David Nicolai, UMN Extension Crops Educator, Ryan Miller, UMN Extension Crops Educator, and Debalin Sarangi, UMN Extension Weed Scientist, highlighting key strategies to improve crop protection and weed control. As the growing season approaches, effective planning remains important for maintaining yield and managing resistance challenges.

Several companies are introducing or advancing herbicide products for corn, soybeans, wheat, canola, pasture, and other crops. These products include new premixes, reformulations, and combinations of existing active ingredients. Companies highlighted for this season include AMVAC, BASF, Bayer, Corteva, FMC, and Syngenta.

New herbicides offer added flexibility for managing broadleaf weeds and grasses. Some products are designed for preemergence use, while others support postemergence control. A few products remain under review, but they may expand future weed management options. These updates show how manufacturers continue to respond to changing weed pressure and herbicide resistance concerns.

Herbicide rotation also remains a key strategy. The Take Action Herbicide Mode of Action Chart helps growers compare products by group number and mode of action. This helps farmers rotate herbicides more effectively and reduce the risk of resistance development.

The season also includes important label and regulatory updates. New Endangered Species Act requirements are being added to pesticide labels, which may include buffer zones, runoff controls, and other use restrictions. Growers need to read each label carefully because requirements may differ by product and location.

Dicamba products approved for over-the-top use in cotton and soybeans also include updated federal restrictions, along with state-specific rules in some areas. Liberty Ultra receives a supplemental label that allows higher use rates in certain crops, offering more flexibility in difficult weed situations.

Another major change is the phaseout of Gramoxone. Existing supplies may still be used by label directions, but the product is expected to leave the market. Growers may need to adjust burndown, and desiccation plans with other tools.

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