Wide row spacing increases the likelihood of additional herbicide use. Timed properly, Roundup applications are very cost effective. The first Roundup application should be made 3 weeks after emergence using the 1.5 pint per acre rate. If needed, the second application should be made 2 weeks later at the 1 pint per acre rate. Application delay or large weeds may mean the need for a higher rate.
Cultivation is an effective, rather inexpensive, but time consuming practice to control weeds.
Cultivate when maximum weed control benefit can be achieved and perhaps an expensive herbicide application can be omitted. As the 1998 planting season begins, USDA has predicted that Alabama farmers will plant about 400,000 acres of soybeans. There may be several reasons for the acreage, but a higher price for beans isn't one of them. With 72 million acres to be planted in the US, it doesn't look like higher prices are in the future this year. The truth is that 1997 was not a particularly profitable year for many Alabama farmers, and soybeans are one of the cheapest crops to grow.