Jared Goplen and Dave Nicolai, Extension educators-crops Part I in a three-part series Photo 1. Mow fence lines now to minimize deposits to the weed seed bank. Photo: Jared Goplen. Harvest will soon be in full swing. Take the time now to mow fence line weeds or field edges to prevent or minimize seed production. Field edges are often where weed infestations start. By eliminating fence line weeds, we prevent combine harvesters from picking up weed seeds from the field edges and pulling them into the field where they can be further spread by harvesting and tillage equipment. Most weeds common to corn and soybean fields are in the flowering and seed development stages of their life cycle. This means that there is still time to control some weeds before they can produce viable seed. Viable seeds may have already been produced by early-maturing broadleaf weeds like lambsquarters, kochia, and redroot pigweed. Later-maturing weeds, like giant and common ragweed, are still pollinating in...
