How a two-pass herbicide program can set you up for success in 2026.
Some sayings stand the test of time, like "measure twice, cut once" or "don't count your chickens before they hatch." In corn production, one phrase rings especially true: "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."
This means preventing a weed control problem is more effective than fixing one. However, this is easier said than done. Controlling weeds in corn is a challenge that increases in difficulty and complexity each season, with resistant weeds like waterhemp and Palmer amaranth causing problems for farmers across the US.
To contend with these tough weeds, Josh Putman, BASF Corn Herbicides Technical Marketing Manager, recommends farmers use a two-pass program to set themselves up for success.
"We really need to control weeds before they come out of the ground, this is the time when weeds are at their weakest," says Putman. "It starts by applying a foundational pre-emerge program like Surtain® herbicide and then layering residuals into your post applications."
First Pass: Start with a smart pre-emerge plan
In corn, six-inch weeds can cause up to a 7% yield loss.1 That means in 200-bushel corn, farmers could lose 14 bushels from just these small weeds alone. This is why a powerful pre-emerge through early-post herbicide is a crucial component of any corn herbicide program.
Surtain herbicide provides outstanding residual activity, with up to eight weeks control or suppression of 79 broadleaf and grass weeds. This includes excellent control of tough weeds like waterhemp, Palmer amaranth and morning glory species.
A convenient premix of two sites of action (Group 14 and Group 15), Surtain herbicide features saflufenacil, the first ever solid encapsulated herbicide active ingredient. This gives farmers access to residual PPO chemistry that can be applied early-post in corn, extending the application window up to three weeks after planting.
"Surtain herbicide gives farmers an additional tool to battle herbicide resistance," says Putman. "When you talk about the whole program, it's really about starting with Surtain herbicide as that foundational layer to your weed control program."
Second Pass: Follow up with a powerful post application
The post-emerge application is key to preventing weed escapes prior to canopy. As a powerful post option, Status® herbicide supports superior broadleaf weed control with a unique combination of two active ingredients, diflufenzopyr (DFFP) and dicamba. With control of ALS-, triazine-, PPO-, HPPD- and glyphosate-resistant weeds, Status herbicide is a useful option for farmers facing resistance issues.
"Status herbicide is looked at as the rescue application because it works so well when others don't," says Putman. Status herbicide can be applied up to the V8 growth stage in corn, but it's recommended to apply at the V2 to V5 growth stage.
"If you add Zidua® SC herbicide in with your Status herbicide application, that helps you layer residuals and avoid any gaps between your pre- and post-herbicides," says Putman. "We recommend applying Surtain herbicide at 14 fluid ounces, followed by a post-emergence application of Status herbicide tank-mixed with Zidua SC herbicide, glyphosate and the appropriate adjuvants."
RECOMMENDED HERBICIDE PROGRAM
1st Pass – PRE
• Apply Surtain herbicide at 14-17 fl oz/A, 11 fl oz/A for coarse soils
• If weeds are emerged, must add a tank mix partner such as glyphosate, atrazine, mesotrione, Armezon® herbicide or Clarity® herbicide
• Recommended adjuvants include AMS + NIS or COC (MSO not allowed after corn emergence)
2nd Pass – POST
• Apply Status herbicide at 5 oz/A plus Zidua SC herbicide at 2.5 fl oz/A (2.0 fl oz/A for coarse soils) plus glyphosate
• Recommended adjuvants include AMS and NIS
Best Practices for Comprehensive Weed Control
• Scout proactively
• Control weeds while they're small
• Apply multiple modes of action
• Use overlapping residuals
