For years, farmers and horticulturists have used weed killers to kill undesirable plants. Unfortunately, weeds have a strong will to survive so they become resistant to many types of industrial weed killer. Making the most of herbicides in today’s environment means taking the time to find the exact agricultural weed killer and using the minimum amount to accomplish the task.

Fortunately, scientists are working with herbicide suppliers to find herbicides that work. As scientists study the best ways to apply soil herbicide that accomplish the best weed kill, they are seeing a number of agricultural practices emerge. These include:

1. Rotating the crop and the herbicide on any given field on a regular basis, so the weeds don’t develop resistance to the herbicides.

2. Using the smallest amount of herbicides possible.

3. Minimizing the number of applications per year and, if possible, using cultivation instead of herbicide application to kill the weeds.

Action Steps
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Understand the best practices to follow for herbicides

Most states require a license to apply herbicides in agricultural settings, but you still need to have an understanding of herbicidal application if you plan to use it on lawns or grounds that surround your business. Herbicides available to the general public are less likely to do damage to the environment. Because they are less potent, it is especially important that you apply them wisely to make sure you kill the weeds.

I recommend: An article from Oregon State University offers guidelines for making the most of herbicides. The article stresses the importance of timing the application of horticultural herbicides. The information is also applicable for regular agriculture weed killers as well. The abstract on “Herbicide Exploitation” from Iowa State University gives a brief overview of what happens when farmers use weed killers in an indiscriminate manner.

Choose the right herbicides

If you have a license, you can purchase professional strength herbicides to kill the weeds on your grounds. If not, you can find a licensed professional to apply them. Either way, it's in your best interest to know what chemicals are in your fields.

I recommend: You can find professional herbicides at Interstate Products. Determine what weeds you have, then select the right industrial weed killer. LaSalle Chemical also offers a number of herbicides.

Calibrate the rate of application for weed killers

Whether you use pre- or post-emergent herbicides, you want to be sure to use the right amount of agriculture weed killers. The same is true of aquatic weed killer.

I recommend: The University of Minnesota Extension offers formulas to help you determine the right amount of agricultural weed killer. The University of Florida offers calculators and calibration methods for aquatic herbicide applications.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  As GPS becomes more readily available on herbicide application equipment, more farmers are using it to get a more accurate herbicide application.

Herbicides get rid of weeds through various methods, including killing the roots, killing the plant through the leaves or both. With so many different types and brands of herbicides on the market, customers are sure to find the product they want to do the job.

Weed killer is available in two forms, granular and liquid. After applying granular forms, the consumer needs to apply water. On the other hand, they need to allow liquid agriculture weed killers to dry before watering or expecting rain. Some are water proof or water resistant after they dry. When looking for herbicides to sell, consider these options:

1. Pre emergence weed killers will prevent weeds from germinating in spring. These herbicides damage the roots before the plant has a chance to grow.

2. Post emergence professional herbicides kill weeds that are already established. This weed killer kills the plant by soaking through the leaves.

3. An industrial weed killer can eradicate weeds from large areas or kill very large plants.

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Carry pre emergence herbicides

Some customers may not know how to use herbicides, so you need to know how to read labels and interpret their directions. Consumers should apply pre emergence herbicides in early spring before their unwanted weeds begin to grow, and then water the herbicide so it can establish a barrier in the soil.

I recommend: There are many herbicide suppliers who offer a good selection of herbicides for their shoppers. Look at the products offered by Star Nursery and LaSalle Chemical.

Stock professional weed killers like a post emergence herbicide

Post emergence herbicides work to kill established plants by soaking through the leaves. Therefore, these herbicides work best when sprayed directly on the plant. Stock both selective herbicides and non selective herbicides. Some customers may need to kill weeds in their lawn of St. Augustine without killing their grass.

I recommend: Purchase selective and non-selective professional weed killers from ELS Products Corp. and Interstate Products, Inc., who both have a large selection of agricultural weed killer. Interstate Products, Inc., includes descriptions of each product on their website.

Sell industrial weed killer for tough weeds or large areas

Very tough areas or large weeds may require a strong industrial weed control product that you can find from various herbicide vendors. Some customers may need both a post emergence and a pre emergence industrial weed killer for heavy areas.

I recommend: Find professional herbicides on the US Carton & Supply, Inc. website. Compare prices with those found in the Mid-Atlantic Industrial Supply online catalog.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Carry many different brands with different active ingredients so that you can fulfill all of your customer's needs.
• •  Different horticultural herbicides will have different application instructions. They may determine the time of day or time of year that customers should apply the product to get the best results. For great customer service, learn about all of the products you stock so that you can help your customers get results they want.

Herbicides education and training can take a number of forms, such as formal training or on-the-job experience. Whatever manner you choose, you should know that working with industrial weed control can be potentially harmful to both humans and the environment. That’s why most states require a license before you can apply professional weed killer.

The licensing requirement for herbicides varies from state to state, so be sure to check your state’s department of agriculture website for the definitive way to get your herbicides education and training. As you seek your herbicides license, typically you are going to be studying the following topics:

1. The effectiveness of various herbicides including organic weed killers.

2. Whether to apply weed killers pre- or post-planting of agricultural crops for best results.

3. Professional herbicides for grasses and turf.

4. The safe handling of herbicides.

Action Steps
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Find training manuals for herbicides to begin your training at home

By becoming familiar with various professional herbicides, you can get a greater understanding of what to expect from individual products in differing soil conditions. You will also come to know more about the effect of weather and other environmental factors on herbicides.

I recommend: Louisiana State University Ag Center offers a number of training manuals for the proper usage of herbicides. They also have information on training in aquatic herbicide use. Read the training manual from the Southeast Exotic Plant Council to get an overview of horticultural herbicides.

Get herbicides training and education via environmental groups

Many environmental groups train their volunteers to use herbicides so they can effectively apply the herbicides as necessary in parks and conservancy areas. This is an inexpensive way to learn how to use professional herbicides and get hands-on experience at the same time. Additionally, you are giving something back to your community through service to the environmental group.

I recommend: The Nature Conservancy offers training in the proper use of weed killers. Check its website for training near you. Southern Regional Extension Forestry offers videos on its website to train volunteers in the proper use of industrial weed killer products on public lands.

Take specific agricultural weed killer training from the herbicide manufacturer

Many leading chemical companies and herbicide vendors provide training for the proper usage of their professional herbicides. Check with your local herbicide suppliers to see what kind of training is available through their chemical company.

I recommend: Valent Professional Products provides training modules for its professional herbicides. The participant studies the information then takes a test to evaluate his knowledge of Valent agriculture weed killers. DuPont offers training in the usage of DuPont Enlite agricultural weed killer for soybeans.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  All training in the usage of herbicides comes with firm instructions to read and follow all labels. It's important that you never try to do anything 'off-label' with any weed killer. To do so could be potentially life threatening.

Whether you care for a landscape around your business or farm, you should be familiar with common herbicides key terms. If you plan to spray your own chemicals, be sure to check local laws to make sure you are in compliance. Some states require special permits to use powerful herbicides. Determine whether you need pre- or post-emergent herbicides, and whether those herbicides should be selective or non-selective from the herbicides key terms that follow.

Action Steps
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Pre-emergent herbicides

Pre-emergent herbicides work into the ground or spray on the ground before the weed seed begins to grow for the season. Typically there are two times of the year to apply pre-emergent herbicides. The first application period is in the spring before the weeds begin to grow for the summer season. The second application is in the fall, which prevents seeds from setting on the weeds.

I recommend: See the discussion of pre-emergent herbicides on the All About Lawns.

Post-emergent herbicides

Post-emergent herbicides work after the plant is green and growing for the summer season. You can spray post-emergent herbicides directly on undesirable weeds.

I recommend: Landscape-America.com offers tips on how to use post-emergent herbicides for dandelion and crabgrass control in lawns.

Contact herbicide

A contact herbicide only kills the part of the plant it comes in contact with. Spraying a contact herbicide on the visible part of the plant only kills the stems and leaves. The roots remain alive and may generate another stem and leaves.

I recommend: Biconet offers an explanation of how its contact herbicide, Scythe, works.

Buffering agent

You may need to add a buffering agent to your herbicide and water mixture to control the pH balance. The amount of buffering agent varies and depends on the type and quantity of herbicide you use.

I recommend: A list of buffering agents used with herbicides is available from Herbicide-Adjuvants.com.

Selective herbicide

A selective herbicide kills only the plants listed on its label. Most selective herbicides kill a list of broadleaf weeds, such as dandelions. A selective herbicide usually doesn't bother other plants in the lawn or field. Read the label to know exactly what the particular herbicide kills.

I recommend: Interstate Products offers a line of selective herbicides.

Non-selective herbicide

A non-selective herbicide kills every plant it comes in contact with. This type of chemical burns down woody bushes as well as green plants.

I recommend: See examples of non-selective herbicides at Professional Pest Control Products.