Unfortunately for farmers, 2022 is shaping up to follow suit with 2021 and be plagued with herbicide shortages. Of the massive list of products expected to be in short supply are major herbicide products such as glyphosate, glufosinate and 2,4-D. What’s more, due to the slow-down in generic herbicide manufacturing in China, farmers are already seeing increased shortages of generic products versus name-brand products. These shortages are expected to impact the crop production season negatively, and they’re also projected to drive up already high chemical prices.
If you’re worried about what herbicide shortages will mean for your 2022 crop production season, you’re not alone. While you may not be able to stop the herbicide shortage, you can take steps to mitigate its effects on your season. The team at Kingsley Blasco Insurance Inc is here to help and has compiled some tips to help you manage the herbicide shortage.
Tips for Navigating Herbicide Shortages
While there isn’t much you are able to do from a production point to solve the herbicide shortage, there are a few proactive management tips you can follow to best manage your crops through an herbicide shortage, including:
· Line up chemicals now. July and June are the busy months for herbicide purchasing. Be sure to purchase what you need for your crops early and plan out when and how much you will need. This may help you avoid delays in production, as planning ahead may help you overcome long lead times for getting the products you need.
· Be flexible. You may not be able o use your first-choice herbicide. If you cannot access glufosinate, the number one herbicide in shortage, you may need to opt in to use grass herbicide such as clethodim instead if it’s more readily available.
· Manage weeds. The number one problem weed at hand is waterhemp. Waterhemp is a highly adaptive weed now and for the foreseeable future. The mix of drier weather and this weed has caused some herbicides to not work as well as they have in the past. It’s important to be prepared to manage weeds early and fine-tune your management as the season adapts to the weeds your crop has.
Every season’s crop will be different in terms of management, but the most important thing when there’s a shortage of herbicide is to be proactive.
Contact Your Broker Today
Our agents at Kingsley Blasco Insurance Inc understand the challenges you face as a farmer, especially when there are challenges with maintaining your crop. Contact your agent today for assistance in drafting a policy to protect against the challenges you may face during the 2022 production season.