Maverick®: Flexibility in Corn Weed Control

With weather conditions often ranging from drought to flooding across the Corn Belt, a “normal” year seldom seems to be in the cards for corn growers.

Adverse weather conditions can affect planting timing, germination windows and herbicide activation success. That is when the application flexibility offered by Maverick® Corn Herbicide alters the odds from Mother Nature’s favor to corn growers’ advantage.

“It's very important to have that wide application window because things get delayed, weather comes in, you don't get rainfall, or you get too much rain. Being able to make your applications later in the season with that flexibility helps with time management,” says Jon Kohrt, Valent U.S.A. product development manager for Maverick.

With three modes of action, Maverick effectively controls a broad range of broadleaf and grassy weeds with long-lasting residual activity. Yield-robbing weeds controlled by Maverick include giant ragweed, common waterhemp, Palmer amaranth and marestail.

Which weed species are present, weed pressure levels and Mother Nature all drive herbicide timing decisions. The flexibility Maverick offers allows growers to make the best decision for their farm, whether that is a burndown, preemergence or postemergence application up to 18-inch corn or to the V6 growth stage.

“We want to make sure we can get the product on the ground and make contact with the weeds we're trying to control,” Kohrt says. “If you start to see weeds emerging and they're still three inches or less in size, that's your ideal time to make those postemergence applications.”

Maverick also offers growers a low use rate, making handling and tank mixing easier. The application rate for Maverick ranges from 14 fluid ounces for postemergence applications to 18 to 32 fluid ounces per acre for preemergence applications.

“Corn herbicides generally have higher use rates, ranging anywhere from a quart to up to three quarts of product per acre,” Kohrt says. “Having Maverick with good application flexibility at this low use rate is extremely beneficial and much easier for the grower and applicator to handle.”

Maverick also offers tank mix flexibility, including excellent compatibility with atrazine.

“We have no compatibility issues that we've seen so far with atrazine or any of the starter fertilizers or fertilizer carriers.” Kohrt says.

While Maverick is new in 2023, Erick Garcia, asset manager focused on Maverick® Corn Herbicide for Valent U.S.A., says it has been put through its paces and has been tested across various geographies and adverse conditions.

“Growers can trust that Maverick has been fully evaluated, and we know how it performs across a wide geography,” Garcia says. “We're really excited about what we've seen in trial results with Maverick.

To learn more about the flexible and effective weed control Maverick provides, visit Valent.com/Maverick.