Increased Herbicide Use Rate Helps Growers Tackle Driver Weeds

Label update for 2018 helps control weeds like Palmer amaranth and waterhemp

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May 31, 2018, 11:01 ET

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C., May 31, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Palmer amaranth and waterhemp are considered by many to be two of the most competitive and aggressive weed species in the United States. David Tanner, product manager at Bayer, said that due to a recent update for the Liberty^® label, growers will have the opportunity to apply the herbicide to LibertyLink^® crops at a higher rate in 2018. This application rate increase will help improve control of Palmer amaranth and waterhemp as well as other driver weeds like kochia, ragweed and marestail.

"As weeds like Palmer amaranth and waterhemp get more aggressive, growers must too," Tanner said. "It's absolutely critical to reduce seed production to stop further spread of driver weeds. That's why we've increased our recommended application rates. We want to help corn and soybean growers better control resistant weeds."

Driver weeds can have implications on yield and in long-term weed control plans. For example, according to Take Action, season-long competition by Palmer amaranth at 2.5 plants per foot of row can reduce soybean yields by as much as 79 percentⁱ. A single female Palmer amaranth or waterhemp plant can each produce hundreds of thousands of seeds, allowing them to spread rapidly in short periods of time.

The following table outlines the 2018 recommended herbicide application rates for each LibertyLink crop:

NEW Liberty application rates for 2018
Crop	NEW 2018 Use Rate (fl oz/A)	NEW 2018 Max Per Year (fl oz/A)
Soybean	32 – 43	87
Field Corn	22 – 32	87
Sweet Corn	22	44

A successful herbicide program utilizing Liberty should include a comprehensive program of pre-plant options, pre-emergence residual herbicides and Liberty applications in order to be fully effective. This comprehensive program provides excellent weed control while also reducing the risk or resistance and protecting the long-term sustainability of the Liberty technology. Tanner notes that there is such confidence in Liberty that it comes backed by the Liberty Weed Control Guarantee when used as part of a complete, season long weed control program. To qualify, growers must talk to their retailer and follow local S.T.O.P. Weeds with Liberty guidelines, including:

Start clean and stay clean: Control weeds prior to planting with a burndown herbicide and continue controlling escapes throughout the season.
Target weeds at less than three inches tall: Liberty is a contact herbicide and should be applied on less than three-inch weeds that are emerged at time of spraying. Liberty does not offer residual control and therefore will not control weeds that have not emerged.
Optimize coverage: Growers should use appropriate rates, a minimum of 15 gallons of water and medium to coarse droplet size. Local Bayer representatives can provide recommendations.
Pair with residuals: Growers must apply labeled rates of pre-residual herbicide with two effective modes of action. Local Bayer representatives can provide local recommendations.

In addition, an adjuvant of ammonium sulfate (AMS) should be used at a rate of 1.5 lb./A to 3.0 lb./A

"We're committed to meeting the ever-changing demands of controlling driver weeds and maintaining customer satisfaction," Tanner said. "We feel these increased rates are one step towards that goal, both for growers today and for growers in the future."

Liberty is a Group 10 herbicide and is the only nonselective herbicide that is effective on these hard-to-control grasses and weeds. It is fast-acting, and results are visual within days of the application. There is no known resistance to Liberty herbicide in U.S. broadacre crops. For more information about Liberty, visit www.cropscience.bayer.us/products/herbicides/liberty.

Bayer is committed to bringing new technology and solutions for agriculture and non-agricultural uses. For questions concerning the availability and use of products, contact a local Bayer representative, or visit Crop Science, a division of Bayer, online at www.cropscience.bayer.us.

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About Bayer
Bayer is a global enterprise with core competencies in the Life Science fields of health care and agriculture. Its products and services are designed to benefit people and improve their quality of life. At the same time, the Group aims to create value through innovation, growth and high earning power. Bayer is committed to the principles of sustainable development and to its social and ethical responsibilities as a corporate citizen. In fiscal 2017, the Group employed around 99,800 people and had sales of EUR 35.0 billion. Capital expenditures amounted to EUR 2.4 billion, R&D expenses to EUR 4.5 billion. For more information, go to www.bayer.us.

Contact:

Bayer Media Hotline, 1-862-404-5118, or

Terri Mitchell
Crop Science, a division of Bayer
Tel: (919) 886-9865
Email: [email protected]

Sara McClendon
Rhea + Kaiser
Tel: (630) 955-2522
Email: [email protected]

Find more information at www.cropscience.bayer.us.

Forward-Looking Statements
This release may contain forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by Bayer management. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between the actual future results, financial situation, development or performance of the company and the estimates given here. These factors include those discussed in Bayer's public reports which are available on the Bayer website at www.bayer.com. The company assumes no liability whatsoever to update these forward-looking statements or to conform them to future events or developments.

© 2018 Bayer CropScience LP, 2 T.W. Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709. Always read and follow label instructions. Bayer, the Bayer Cross, Liberty, LibertyLink and the Water Droplet Design are registered trademarks of Bayer. For additional product information, call toll-free 1-866-99-BAYER (1-866-992-2937) or visit our website at www.cropscience.bayer.us.

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