Skip to content
PodcastArkansas Row CropsMay 11, 2022

Why Sedge Control Is a Growing Concern for Arkansas Farmers

Sedge populations are surging in Arkansas, raising control challenges for farmers.

AI-generated source brief by USFarms.ag, based on Arkansas Row Crops. How our briefs are made

Source published May 11, 2022. Check the source date before applying seasonal guidance. Brief published .

weed managementsedge controlherbicide resistancecrop management

Source summary

What this podcast covered

Current Sedge Challenges

Farmers are experiencing a surge in yellow nutsedge populations, particularly in corn and soybean fields. The recent wet weather has created ideal conditions for this weed to thrive, complicating control efforts.

Herbicide Effectiveness

While Roundup has been a primary control method, rising costs are causing farmers to reconsider their options. The effectiveness of herbicides is being challenged by the emergence of resistant weed populations.

Emerging Weed Species

Annual flat sedges are becoming a growing concern, especially in rice fields. Farmers are now facing the challenge of managing these weeds alongside yellow nutsedge, requiring a more nuanced approach to weed control.

Key takeaways

5 things worth knowing

  1. 01

    Yellow nutsedge is thriving due to wet conditions, complicating control efforts.

  2. 02

    Corn and soybean farmers are particularly affected, facing challenges with herbicide effectiveness.

  3. 03

    Roundup remains a primary control method, but rising costs are causing pushback from farmers.

  4. 04

    Sedge management strategies vary by crop, with specific recommendations for corn, soybeans, and cotton.

  5. 05

    Emerging issues with annual flat sedges and ALS resistance are raising concerns for future crop management.

Source figures at a glance

At a glance

What the podcast covered, in 4 signals

Weeds

Surging

Yellow nutsedge

Ideal wet conditions are driving growth.

Crops

Under Pressure

Corn and soybeans

Farmers face challenges with effective control.

Costs

Rising

Herbicide prices

Farmers are feeling the financial strain.

Resistance

Emerging

Annual flat sedges

New resistance issues complicate management.

Questions & answers

Quick answers

What is causing the surge in sedge populations?

The recent wet weather conditions have created an ideal environment for yellow nutsedge to thrive.

What are the best control methods for yellow nutsedge?

Roundup is commonly used, but farmers are also exploring tank mixes with other herbicides like Liberty.

How are rising herbicide costs affecting farmers?

Many farmers are feeling the financial strain and are pushing back against recommended treatments due to high prices.

What should farmers know about emerging weed species?

Farmers need to be aware of annual flat sedges and their resistance issues, which complicate management strategies.

Weekly U.S. agriculture digest

Get the weekly U.S. agriculture digest

One email. Agriculture across the United States this week: interviews, the reviewed feed, and new farmland listings.

USFarms.ag organizes and summarizes public farmland, agriculture, and commodity-related information. Summaries may contain errors and should not be treated as financial, legal, agronomic, or real estate advice. Sensitive land-sale, rent, ownership, and parcel-specific information is intentionally excluded.