This year’s unusually wet weather has created serious weed management challenges for agricultural producers across Texas. After years of drought, which helped suppress weed growth, the recent moisture has triggered a surge in weed emergence—making it difficult for many farmers to keep fields clean. In regions like the South Plains, increased rainfall has made it nearly impossible for producers to access their fields, resulting in significant delays in crop planting. In many cases, cotton planting has been pushed back by nearly a month. Early-season dryness in some areas also contributed to poor activation of preemergence herbicides, leading to heavier reliance on postemergence treatments. Unfortunately, consistent rainfall has made it difficult to spray or cultivate between showers, leaving fields vulnerable.
In areas like the Coastal Bend, crops have been able to establish canopy quickly, which helps suppress weed growth by limiting sunlight. However, delayed planting in other regions has slowed canopy development, allowing weeds to gain ground. Normally, drier July weather would reduce weed activity and help crops catch up, but the persistent rains have caused continued weed germination well into mid-summer.
Producers are now focused on postemergence herbicide applications to manage fields where early treatments failed or planting was postponed. If weeds overtake the crop canopy, particularly in cotton and sorghum, farmers may encounter harvest complications and risk further seed spread—making next season even more difficult. Certain weeds are thriving in this year’s damp conditions. In the Coastal Bend and around College Station, sedges are flourishing thanks to high humidity and moisture levels. Other common issues include Palmer amaranth, jungle rice, and glyphosate-resistant johnsongrass. Johnsongrass tends to cause greater problems during wet years and is especially difficult to control if resistance to glyphosate is present. If not addressed effectively this season, these weeds could reemerge even stronger next year.
Adding to the complexity, dicamba is not available for use this year. Depending on the crop and label restrictions, farmers must turn to alternatives such as 2,4-D, glyphosate, or glufosinate. Glufosinate, in particular, is showing better results in the current humid and moist conditions, although timely application is crucial for it to work effectively on younger weeds. In cotton, early weed control during the first few weeks of growth is essential, as this is when yield losses from weed competition are most severe. Keeping fields clean until full canopy formation remains a top priority. However, with input costs rising and crop prices under pressure, many producers are hesitant to spend additional money on late-season weed control.
While late-season weeds may not drastically impact yields, they pose a significant risk for future crops. Any weeds left behind will likely go to seed, increasing weed pressure next season and potentially raising the cost and difficulty of control.
