Alabama Cotton Shorts

March 31 2020

1. For those using the old liquid formation of Valor EZ, please be careful with the tank mixing sequence and the choices of tank mix partners. Add Valor EZ to the tank first, then Roundup, Gramoxone or any water soluble herbicides such as 2,4-D and dicamba. DO NOT flip this sequence -- it will cause an incompatible tank mix! Also, do not mix EC or granular (dry flowable, water dispersible granules, etc.) herbicide formulations (products such as Prowl, Sonalan, Dual Magnum or Warrant) with Valor EZ – this will create incompatibility problems, too.
2. As soon as the ag distribution system runs out of the old liquid EZ formulation, Valent will move exclusively to a new formulation Valor EZ 2 and will not produce any of the former (old) EZ product. Granular formulations may still be available for purchase. Valor EZ 2 is more user friendly and does not have the tank incompatibility issues like the original EZ. Sprayer cleaning does not differ between Valor EZ or EZ 2. Valor cleaning agent is still recommended for all current formulations.  
3. Use rates of 1 fl oz of Valor EZ or EZ 2 = 1 oz of Valor SX granular in terms of active ingredient. If you spray 2 oz Valor SX per acre, you should use 2 fl oz of Valor EZ or EZ 2 per acre, etc. In most of cases, 2 oz of Valor with 32 oz of Roundup PM provides good to excellent control of winter weeds and provides residual control prior to planting.
4. Valor works great in conventional, cover crop/reduced tillage, and no-till fields. Valor + Prowl H2O has been a great burndown treatment in conventionally tilled fields before cotton or peanut planting. However, yellow herbicides (WSSA Group 3, dinitroaniline) generally have high binding affinity to organic matter, and therefore are not recommended for fields fully covered by cover crops or heavy cover crop residues.
5. The recommended order of termination in high residue cover crop fields is first to spray covers with Roundup or Roundup + auxin herbicides, then roll down cereal rye or oats, and finally to apply Valor or Valor + Warrant.
6. The addition of 3 oz of Valor in burndown applications exceeds the label rate, but it obviously extends residual control of pigweed (> 4 weeks frequently) and other broadleaf weeds. If this rate is used, wait at least 3 weeks before planting – 4 weeks is better -- with a minimum of 1 inch of rainfall. We cannot recommend 3 oz since the current AL 24C label does not support that rate. (I am in the process of requesting this change in rate based on soil type.) For a 2 oz Valor application, I see little problem with a 21 day plant back interval in conventionally tilled fields that receive a minimum 1 inch rainfall or irrigation. A 14-day plant back interval should be sufficient for cover crop fields that are strip tilled before planting. Spray Valor, strip till, then plant. A total of 4 oz of Valor is the maximum rate per acre per year.
7. Valor does not provide sufficient control of marestail (horseweed). Sharpen at 1 oz/A is still the best option. A few oz of dicamba may enhance large marestail control. If marestail survives burndown treatments, Gramoxone or Liberty is needed behind the planter.
8. Valor, Sharpen, and Reflex are in the same herbicide family (Group 14, PPO inhibitors), and they have potential to injure cotton. If you did not wait long enough to let Valor or Sharpen dissipate after preplant applications and then spray too much Reflex behind the planter, cotton stand loss and seedling stunting can occur, especially if greater than 1 inch of rainfall occurs before ground cracking!!!    

• Row cleaners come in various configurations. However, remember with row cleaners, the concept is to not till a trench. Instead the purpose of row cleaners is to only move aside any residue from prohibiting the double-disc openers from placing seed at the proper seeding depth. In other words, tickle the soil and don’t till a path. I often see seeding depth issues related to aggressive row cleaners in no-till corn planted into soybean stubble. If you are in a strip-till system, you may be more aggressive with the row cleaners. If planting into standing fall-planted cereal cover crops, I am hesitant to use row cleaners due to wrapping and plugging from the cereal crop.
• Single-row coulters function as a form of tillage ahead of the double-disc openers. There are several styles of single row coulters available and in most planting conditions some soil contact is desirable. The major challenge when using coulters is soil moisture and speed. The deeper we run coulters, the higher the risk of soil sticking to the coulters. Consequently, soil may be tossed from the row, especially as planter speed increases. This can result in shallower seed placement. Additionally, if soil sticks to the coulters, it can contribute to sidewall compaction. 
• One can make the case that the double-disc openers are the single most important thing on your planter. The double-disc openers will allow proper seed depth and slice an opening to properly place the seed at the ideal planting depth. If you are not sure the last time you purchased new ones, I recommend you do some measuring to check for wear on the openers. With most planters, the double-disc openers should measure 15” in diameter; however, this can vary based on the brand. There should never be more than a ½” of wear. When worn openers are used, it typically results in “hair pinning” of residue causing shallow planting depth.  
• If increasing planter speed, more down pressure is needed. How much more pressure depends on soil moisture conditions and residue cover. Take time to get out and check field conditions and planter settings to make sure the seed is getting placed at the proper depth. Make adjustments as needed.
• There are numerous closing wheel and drag chain setups; however, their functions are the same: to provide proper seed-to-soil contact. This is critical to help with even crop emergence. Also, consider as planter speed increases, down-pressure should be increased. Almost any set-up can mash the seed slot closed; however, ask yourself “do you want the seed slot to open back up after it dries?” Again, taking time to check behind the planter and look for good seed-to-soil contact in the furrow, as well as potential issues like compaction or malformation of the seed furrow is worth the effort while planting.