Whether you’re feeding foliar nutrition or managing pest pressures, effective spray applications are key to maximizing yields and your operation’s return on investment.
While planning for and executing a spray application requires numerous decisions — application timing, rate calculations, branded chem vs. generic choices, tank mix or premix selection, adjuvant usage, and more — there are really three main considerations to prioritize as you plan.
The type and size of weed growing in your fields will guide your herbicide and mode of action selections, but it will also determine the type of spray nozzle you’ll want to use. While many broadleaf weeds with larger, more horizontal surfaces are well suited for larger, coarser sprays, grasses and young broadleaf weeds need finer sprays for effective control.
Staying on top of weed pressure in your fields early can pay dividends later in the season as it’s easier to control smaller weeds than larger ones.
Remember, the optimum temperature for photosynthesis in waterhemp ranges from 68-104°F, meaning these naturally drought tolerant weeds can emerge, grow, and thrive even in hot temperatures.
(Always read and follow label directions to ensure you’re making the right decisions for your selected herbicide.)
Temperature also plays a significant role in spray efficacy. Hot, dry weather can cause weeds to close their stomata and slow down their processes, reducing herbicide impact. To ensure your chem applications are still effective in the summer heat, keep the following tips in mind:
The best temperature to spray Roundup® is between 45-90°F. Applying translocated herbicides, including Roundup® brand herbicides or comparable generic herbicides like AgSaver™ Glyphosate 53.8% or Willowood Glypho 6, in hot, dry conditions can result in delayed or reduced weed control. Plants conserve water by thickening their leaf cuticles and reducing translocation and metabolism in dry, high temperatures, thus causing problems with herbicide absorption. Consider using higher labeled rates to help offset these thicker cuticles and lower translocation rates.
Including the full rate of ammonium sulfate (AMS) at 17 lbs per 100 gallons of spray solution can help maximize glyphosate uptake by target weeds, especially if hard water is a concern.
Consider using a surfactant, such as methylated seed oil (MSO) and/or crop oil concentrate (COC), to improve the efficacy of herbicides in warm weather, especially in weeds with thick cuticles like lambsquarters.
Be advised that tank mixes containing COC can lead to enhanced crop injury when applied under hotter conditions; if a non-ionic surfactant (NIS) is an option, consider using that instead.
What’s the Difference Between Crop Oil Concentrate and Methylated Seed Oil?
Finally, crop development stage also impacts herbicide, insecticide, and fungicide application timing. In corn and soybeans, this timing can be based on:
Growth stage
Crop height
Harvest interval required
Be sure you know these specifications for any and all chemicals you’re planning to use on your crops and conduct field scouting to determine the optimal spray timing.
At FBN, we understand the complexities of spray applications and are committed to helping you maximize your yield and ROI. Our extensive catalog of crop protection products, including herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, and adjuvants, is designed to meet your specific needs, no matter the weed pressure, weather conditions, or crop stage. With FBN, you can confidently choose between branded chemistries and high-quality generics, ensuring you have the right tools for effective and efficient applications.
Our online buying process is designed for your convenience, allowing you to quickly and easily find the products you need. Plus, with our fast delivery options, you can rest assured that your essential inputs will arrive when you need them, helping you stay ahead and achieve optimal results in your fields.
© 2014 - 2025 Farmer's Business Network, Inc. All rights Reserved. The sprout logo, “Farmers Business Network”, “FBN”, "Farmers First", “FBN Direct” , "F2F", and "F2F Genetics Network" are trademarks or registered trademarks of Farmer's Business Network, Inc.
FBN Direct products and services and other products distributed by FBN Direct are offered by FBN Inputs, LLC and are available only in states where FBN Inputs, LLC is licensed and where those products are registered for sale or use, if applicable. If applicable, please check with your local extension service to ensure registration status. Nothing contained on this page, including the prices listed should be construed as an offer for sale, or a sale of products. All products and prices are subject to change at any time and without notice and excludes CA mills tax and MN ACRRA fees. Terms and conditions apply.
ALWAYS READ AND FOLLOW LABEL DIRECTIONS. It is a violation of federal and state law to use any pesticide product other than in accordance with its label. The distribution, sale and use of an unregistered pesticide is a violation of federal and/or state law and is strictly prohibited. We do not guarantee the accuracy of any information provided on this page or which is provided by us in any form. It is your responsibility to confirm prior to purchase and use that a product is labeled for your specific purposes, including, but not limited to, your target crop or pest and its compatibility with other products in a tank mix and that the usage of a product is otherwise consistent with federal, state and local laws. We reserve the right to restrict sales on a geographic basis in our sole discretion. You must have a valid applicator license to use restricted use pesticides. Please consult your state department of agriculture for complete rules and regulations on the use of restricted use pesticides, as some products require specific record-keeping requirements.
All product suggestions and other information provided is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for consulting the product label or for specific agronomic, business,or professional advice. Where specific advice is necessary or appropriate, consult with a qualified advisor. Neither Farmer's Business Network Inc. nor any of its affiliates makes any representations or warranties, express or implied, as to the accuracy or completeness of the statements or any information contained in the material and any liability therefore is expressly disclaimed.