Not all pre-emergent herbicides are built for the same job. Weed pressure, crop type and rotation history all play a role in determining which soil residual is going to do the most work for your operation. When it comes to crop protection in Canada, Nufarm has a soil residual herbicide for just about every situation, and finding the right fit based on what’s actually happening in your fields is a smarter approach than defaulting to the same product every year.
Here’s a breakdown of what each option brings to the table.
Astir: A Solid Starting Point for Wheat and Pulses
Astir is a Group 14 pre-emergent built for wheat, field peas, chickpeas, soybeans and flax. It controls tough broadleaf weeds like kochia, lamb’s-quarters, pigweed and chickweed before they get a chance to establish. If your fields have manageable broadleaf pressure and you’re not dealing with layered resistance, Astir is a strong and flexible entry point. It can be applied in fall or spring, and up to three days after seeding, it fits well into a busy planting season.
Valtera EZ: More Crop Options, Same Residual Power
Valtera EZ is a Group 14 product, that can go ahead of many pulses and cereals, including lentils and barley. For cereal, pulse and soybean growers who want a liquid formulation with fall application flexibility and up to eight weeks of residual control, Valtera EZ is a reliable fit. In the spring apply up to 7 days ahead of lentils, spring wheat and barley. For peas, chickpeas and soybeans, spring applications can be made up to three days after seeding.
Valtera Cereals: Built Specifically for the Cereal Rotation
If you’re dealing with persistent pressure from volunteer canola, cleavers or kochia in cereals, Valtera Cereals is worth a closer look. It combines two modes of action, Group 2 and Group 14, to tackle weeds that most commonly cause problems in cereals. Apply in the fall before freeze-up or up to seven days ahead of seeding in the spring.
Bifecta EZ: A step up on control from Valtera
Bifecta EZ is designed for pulses and wheat and combines Group 14 and Group 5 modes of action. It’s particularly effective against tough broadleaf weeds, including glyphosate-resistant kochia. If pulses or wheat are in the rotation and you’re up against broadleaf weeds like kochia, wild mustard and volunteer canola that have developed resistance to Group 2, 5 or glyphosate-based programs, Bifecta EZ is a well-matched fit.
Fierce EZ: Broadleaf and Grass Control Across More Crops
Fierce EZ controls broadleaf and grass weeds using Group 14 and Group 15 modes of action. Not only does it deliver excellent residual control of broadleaf weeds for up to eight weeks after activation, but it also is a great management tool for green foxtail, foxtail barley (suppression) and wild oats (suppression). Apply in the fall ahead of lentils, peas, chickpeas, spring wheat or soybeans and in the spring immediately ahead of peas, chickpeas, soybeans and seven days prior to seeding spring wheat.
Fierce MTZ: Three Modes of Action When Pressure Is at Its Highest
For pulse and wheat growers facing the heaviest broadleaf and grass weed pressure and the most established resistance, Fierce MTZ is the strongest tool in Nufarm’s soil residual herbicide lineup. Three modes of action, Group 5, Group 14, and Group 15, work together to deliver broad-spectrum residual control that covers the widest range of problem weeds. It’s an excellent product for controlling broadleaf weeds like herbicide-tolerant kochia, cleavers, volunteer canola, wild mustard, as well as grass weeds including green foxtail and wild oats. Fierce MTZ is a fall applied product ahead of soybeans, chickpeas, peas, spring wheat and lentils.
Ready to Find Your Fit?
Nufarm’s comprehensive soil active herbicide portfolio helps growers manage weed populations before the crop and before the chaos. With products for western Canadian weed challenges and soil conditions, farmers can proactively manage troublesome weed populations, help manage resistance development, stay flexible and lead the season instead of chasing it. This means less in-season pressure, and more flexibility when it counts.
Reach out to your local Nufarm representative to talk through your options before the season gets started.
