ID 32766753 © Iluvatar | Dreamstime.com

By Alice McFarlane

Weed Management

Control weeds with registered products – follow the label

Aug 21, 2019 | 12:33 PM

As harvest kicks into high gear many producers will be looking to get a handle on weeds before combining.

Wheat farmers often apply a pre-harvest herbicide to dry down weeds like volunteer canola.

The Saskatchewan Wheat Development Commission (Sask Wheat) is reminding wheat producers to only use products registered for pre-harvest application.

Sask Wheat Chair Laura Reiter said always apply these products according to the label.

“I have heard from several farmers that volunteer canola is a problem this year,” Reiter said. “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.”

MLAs clash over foreign ownership of Saskatchewan farmland

Nov 10, 2025

Outstanding community members

'We all loved him': respected Prince Albert broadcaster passes away

Oct 09, 2025

Nearing the end of harvest

Meals in the field and hats in combines: a look into end of harvest traditions

Oct 09, 2025

Reiter said seed moisture must be 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 per cent. This is also the case for applying pre-harvest glyphosate.

Reiter said farmers need to be using the proper product. She said if you’re not sure there are people that can help with that.

“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,” Reiter said. “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.”

Before starting a pre-harvest weed control program it’s crucial to remember products containing glufosinate are not registered on wheat and cannot be applied to wheat under any circumstances. Products containing saflufenacil are acceptable for pre-harvest application.

Reiter said to also keep in mind the pre-harvest interval. Harvest should not start until at least three days following application.

The Keep it Clean campaign has more information on keeping crops ready for export markets.

–

alice.mcfarlane@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @AliceMcF