Question and Answer

Herbicide FAQ

We cannot emphasize strongly enough that you must always read and follow the label instructions when using these, or any other, herbicides and adjuvants (crop oil, surfactant or sticking agent). The Arrest and SLAY labels may be viewed on line on the following web pages:

Arrest Label

http://www.whitetailinstitute.com/products/herbicides/Arrestlabel.pdf

SLAY label

http://www.whitetailinstitute.com/products/herbicides/Slaylabel.pdf

An excellent article on Arrest and SLAY is available for you to review on-line at the following web page:

http://www.whitetailinstitute.com/info/news/apr05/14.html

If you have any questions, be sure to call our in-house consultants at 800-688-3030, ext. 2 BEFORE you proceed.

Table of Contents

Section 1: Arrest Grass Herbicide – Description

Section 2: SLAY Broadleaf-Weed Herbicide and Surefire Surfactant –

Descriptions

Section 3: Arrest and Slay – General Application Issues

Section 4: Controlling Mature Grass and Weeds

A. Controlling Mature Grass – Generally

B. Controlling Mature Broadleaf Weeds – Generally

C. Controlling Grasses or Weeds Not Listed on Slay Label

D. Controlling Grasses or Weeds in Forages Not Appropriate for

Use of Arrest or Slay

Section 1: Arrest Grass Herbicide - Description

Q What is Arrest?

A Arrest is a grass herbicide designed to control most grasses, which are listed on the Arrest label.

For best results, Arrest should be applied when grasses are still in seedling stage, meaning before they mature beyond 6” to 12” in height. (For tips on controlling mature grass, see the section titled, “Controlling Mature Grass and Weeds”, below.)

Q What forages can Arrest be used on?

A Arrest is appropriate for use on Imperial Whitetail Clover, Alfa Rack, Alfa Rack Plus, Chicory Plus, Extreme, any clover or alfalfa, and any other forage listed on the Arrest label. Arrest can also be used to control grass in The Whitetail Institute’s Imperial Winter-Greens annual blend if necessary after planting.

Q What Imperial forage blends should not be sprayed with Arrest?

A Arrest is not labeled as appropriate to spray on Imperial Power Plant, No Plow or Secret Spot.

Section 2: SLAY Broadleaf-Weed Herbicide

and Surefire Surfactant – Descriptions

Q What are SLAY and Surefire?

A SLAY is a broadleaf-weed herbicide designed to control most kinds of broadleaf weeds and some of the tougher grasses that Arrest is not designed to control, which are listed on the SLAY label.

Surefire surfactant is a type of “adjuvant.” Generally, adjuvants improve the dispersing, absorbing, spreading, or sticking of some herbicide spray mixtures. The Whitetail Institute’s Surefire surfactant was purpose-built for use with SLAY, is non-ionic and contains an anti-foaming agent.

Addition of a surfactant is required when applying SLAY. SLAY and Surefire are sold separately.

For best results, SLAY should be applied when broadleaf weeds are still in seedling stage (before they mature beyond 6” in height). For tips on controlling mature grass, see the section titled, “Controlling Mature Grass and Weeds”, below.

Q What forages can SLAY be used on?

A SLAY is appropriate for use on Imperial Whitetail Clover, Alfa Rack, any other clover or alfalfa, and other forage listed on the SLAY label.

Q What Imperial forage blends should not be sprayed with SLAY?

A SLAY is not labeled as appropriate to spray on Alfa Rack Plus, Chicory Plus, Extreme, Winter-Greens, Power Plant, No Plow or Secret Spot.

Section 3: Arrest and SLAY -

General Application Issues

Q If I am planning to use an herbicide to remove existing vegetation from a new plot site before I plant it, should I use Arrest and SLAY for that purpose?

A Using RoundUp, Eraser or a similar non-selective, glyphosate herbicide is a better option. SLAY contains a pre-emergent that can prevent you from planting certain forages for 120 days or longer. Arrest and SLAY are intended as maintenance herbicides to control grass and broadleaf weeds in existing plots.

Q When is the best time of the year to use Arrest and SLAY?

A Arrest and SLAY can be applied anytime plants are actively growing, which usually means during the spring and summer.

For best results, they should be applied in the early spring when grass and broadleaf weeds are still in seedling stage. It is often more difficult for Arrest and SLAY to control grass and broadleaf weeds that have been allowed to mature. For suggestions on controlling mature grass or broadleaf weeds, see the section on “Controlling Mature Grass and Weeds” at the end of this FAQ.

When you should apply Arrest or SLAY may be affected by many factors such as if and when you have mowed, whether you are in excessively dry or droughty conditions, how young the forage plants in the plot are, and other factors. Check the Arrest and Slay labels for additional information. Call The Whitetail Institute with any questions before you proceed.

Q Should I mow my plot before applying Arrest or SLAY?

A For best results, Arrest or SLAY should be applied when grass or broadleaf weeds are in still in seedling stage (before they mature). However, mowing may help make them more effective in controlling mature grass and broadleaf weeds. For more information, see the section on “Controlling Mature Grass and Weeds” at the end of this FAQ.

Q Must mowing and application of Arrest or SLAY be coordinated?

A Yes. Do not mow within two weeks after spraying Arrest or SLAY. After mowing, wait at least one week or until you see new growth appearing, whichever occurs later, before spraying.

Q Will mowing allow me to stretch my Arrest or SLAY farther? Not necessarily. Rather, mowing may increase the effectiveness of Arrest and SLAY on grass and broadleaf weeds that have been allowed to mature. For more information, see the section on “Controlling Mature Grass and Weeds” at the end of this FAQ.

Q Can Arrest and SLAY be used on newly planted plots?

A Arrest can be applied without regard to how young the plot is. The determinative factor for applying Arrest is grass height, not age of the plot. SLAY can be used on newly planted plots, but only AFTER the clovers in the blend have come up and opened all their leaves, which usually happens once the clovers reach about three inches in height.

Q How long after spraying Arrest may I overseed or replant the sprayed plot?

A You may plant any Imperial forage except Power Plant within ten days after spraying Arrest.

Q How long after spraying SLAY may I overseed or replant the sprayed plot?

A You may overseed or replant existing Imperial Whitetail Clover or Alfa Rack plots with additional Imperial Whitetail Clover or Alfa Rack four months after you have sprayed the plot with SLAY. How long you must wait before overseeding with other blends varies and may be as long as 40 months, depending on what you are going to plant. Refer to the SLAY label for information concerning specific plants.

Q What is the mixing rate for Arrest?

A To control seedling grasses (grasses that have not grown higher than 6 inches), 2.25 pints of Arrest should be mixed with 15-20 of gallons of water per acre. For information on controlling mature grass, see the section on “Controlling Mature Grass and Weeds” at the end of this FAQ.

Q What are the mixing rates for SLAY and Surefire?

A To control seedling broadleaf weeds (weeds that have not grown higher than 6 inches), 4 oz of SLAY should be mixed with ½ pint (8 ounces) of Surefire surfactant in 15-20 gallons of water per acre. The maximum amount of SLAY that should be applied in any year is 6 oz of SLAY per acre. Accordingly, if you catch broadleaf weeds early in their seedling stage at the start of spring green up, you may decide to initially apply only 3-4 ounces of SLAY per acre. That way, you still have the option of spraying the other 3-2 ounces of SLAY later in the spring or summer if you need to. For information on controlling mature broadleaf weeds, see the section on “Controlling Mature Grass and Weeds” at the end of this FAQ.

Q Will Arrest or SLAY be even more effective if I mix them in a stronger solution than the label says?

A Stronger mix rates can be more effective in controlling grass and broadleaf weeds that have been allowed to mature, but never exceed the limits set out in the herbicide labels. For information on controlling mature grass and broadleaf weeds, see the section on “Controlling Mature Grass and Weeds” at the end of this FAQ.

Thinking that “if enough is good, more must be better” is incorrect if you are considering exceeding the mix rates specified on the Arrest and SLAY labels. Besides costing you more money, using Arrest or SLAY at an excessive rate can either kill your entire plot, or not work at all. Always be sure to read and closely follow all label directions!

Q Can Arrest and SLAY be mix them together in the same tank and sprayed at the same time?

A Research shows that for optimum effectiveness you should spray Arrest first, and then wait at least three days before spraying SLAY and Surefire. Mixing Arrest and SLAY in the same tank can result in a 50% reduction in Arrest’s ability to control grass. Do not mix SLAY in the same tank with Arrest and crop oil or concentrated crop oil.

Q Do I need to use Surefire surfactant or another adjuvant with Arrest or SLAY, and if so how much?

A An adjuvant is not needed with Arrest when applied to seedling grasses but may help Arrest control grasses that have been allowed to mature. For information on controlling mature grass, see the section on “Controlling Mature Grass and Weeds” at the end of this FAQ.

Surfactant is needed with SLAY at a rate of about one ounce per gallon of water. Surefire surfactant was specifically designed to The Whitetail Institute’s rigorous quality standards for use with SLAY. Follow label directions on the herbicide and on the adjuvant. Do not include SLAY in a spray solution containing Arrest and crop oil or concentrated crop oil.

Q Should I include ammonium sulfate in the spray tank with Arrest or SLAY?

A The addition of ammonium sulfate to either solution is optional, if the user is south of I-40 (except TX, NM, and OK). The value of ammonium sulfate as an adjuvant in many herbicides has been debated for years. Some growers swear by it and others do not bother using it. The research is equally cloudy.

Q How long do Arrest and SLAY have to be on the plants before rain won’t wash them off?

A Arrest and SLAY are rain-fast one hour after application. However, it is best to apply them when the plants are dry and there is no chance of rain. Spray in late morning after the dew is off your plot, and on a day when rain is not expected until after nightfall.

Q How often after spraying Arrest or SLAY should I see results?

A Arrest and SLAY should stop growing within a few days. You should expect to see yellowing of the grass and weeds within 3-4 weeks. Be patient!

Q What if I planted a forage blend sold by someone other than The Whitetail Institute of North America? Can I spray it with Arrest or SLAY?

A Arrest and SLAY are labeled as appropriate for use on clovers, alfalfas and certain other forage plants, but not others. In order to determine whether or not Arrest and SLAY are appropriate for use on a forage blend offered by someone other than The Whitetail Institute, you should compare the plants listed on the ingredient label on the forage product you planted with the information provided on the Arrest and SLAY labels.

Q Does either Arrest or SLAY have a shelf-life, and if so, how long?

A They should last two years or more if stored properly. Do not let Arrest or SLAY freeze!

Q. Are there any environmental concerns when using Arrest or SLAY?

A No, not if label directions are followed.

Section 4:

Controlling Mature Grass and Weeds - Generally

Arrest and SLAY are designed to be most effective at controlling grasses and broadleaf weeds that are still in seedling stage, meaning those that have not matured beyond 6” – 12” in height. Arrest and SLAY may be effective at controlling grass and broadleaf weeds that have matured but may not be as effective.

If grass and have been allowed to mature and are substantially taller than your forage plants, one option is to apply a glyphosate herbicide such as RoundUp to the grass and weeds with a wick bar. (Contact The Whitetail Institute for information on wick bars).

If you do not have access to a wick bar and your plot is heavily choked with mature grass or broadleaf weeds, perform a cost/benefit analysis to determine if it is more cost-effective to spray Arrest and/or SLAY or, alternatively, to prepare a new seedbed and replant.

If you elect to apply Arrest and SLAY to mature grass and broadleaf weeds, there are several things that you can do to try to increase the effectiveness of these herbicides. Remember, though, that even with these extra steps, it will be harder for Arrest and SLAY to control mature grass and broadleaf weeds.

Section 4(A): Controlling Mature Grass with Arrest

Tip 1. Mow grass to six inches at least one week prior to spraying with Arrest. (Remember, though, that you should not mow during excessively dry or droughty weather.) After mowing, wait a least a week for the mowed plants to recover and start putting on new growth before applying Arrest. If you are also going to spray SLAY and Surefire, spray Arrest first and then wait at least three days before spraying SLAY and Surefire.

Tip 2: Add crop oil the Arrest tank mixture. Crop oil is a form of adjuvant and is available from most local farm-supply stores. While crop oil is not required for application of Arrest to seedling grasses, addition of a crop oil concentrate according the Arrest label may make Arrest more effective in controlling mature grasses.

Tip 3: Use the highest mix rate allowed on the Arrest label (3.75 pints of Arrest in 15-20 gallons of water per acre.)

Tip 4: Plan on spraying Arrest twice, one month apart.

Tip 5: Spray Arrest again just after the next spring green-up to control new grasses while they are still in seedling stage.

Again, remember that even with these steps, Arrest and SLAY may not be as effective in controlling adult grass.

Section 4(B): Controlling Mature Broadleaf Weeds

with SLAY and Surefire

Tip 1. Mow weeds to six inches at least one week prior to spraying with SLAY and Surefire. (Remember, though, that you should not mow during excessively dry or droughty weather.) After mowing, wait a least a week for the mowed plants to recover and start putting on new growth before applying SLAY and Surefire. If you are also going to apply Arrest grass herbicide, spray Arrest first and then wait at least three days before applying SLAY and Surefire.

Tip 2: Use the highest mix rate allowed on the SLAY label (6 oz of SLAY and ½ pint of Surefire in 15-20 gallons of water per acre.)

Do not include SLAY in a spray solution containing Arrest and crop oil or concentrated crop oil.

Section 4(C): Controlling Grasses or Weeds

Not Listed on Slay Label

Arrest Grass herbicide and SLAY broadleaf-weed herbicide are designed to control most types of grass and broadleaf weeds. Efforts to control these other grasses and weeds should start during seedbed preparation prior to forage planting and may be continued after planting in some cases.

Unfortunately, most seedbeds hold a layer of dormant weed seeds below ground. Some weed seeds have developed thick seed coats over time and can lie in underground dormancy for even 40 years just waiting for the soil to be turned, bringing them closer to the surface where they germinate. Although it is realistically impossible to eliminate all dormant weed activity, there are steps you can take to reduce this problem. The trick is to do whatever ground tillage you are going to do, then kill off the weeds you have brought to the surface, and then not till the ground again so that you don’t re-infest the plot.

During seedbed preparation, disk the seedbed multiple times at 2-3 week intervals during the spring and summer prior to fall planting. By doing so, you bring dormant seeds to the surface, allow them to germinate, and then kill them when you disk again.

Disk a final time and smooth the plot at least one month before planting is anticipated. Two weeks after this step, spray the seedbed with RoundUp. Do not turn the soil again after spraying RoundUp so that you don’t re-infest the plot with more weeds from dormant seeds. Wait at least ten days after spraying RoundUp before planting.

After the plot is already planted and growing, a wick bar can be used in many cases to control grasses and weeds not listed on the Arrest or SLAY label. Contact The Whitetail Institute for information on wick bars.

Section 4(D): Controlling Grass or Weeds in Forages Not Appropriate for Use of Arrest or SLAY

Arrest Grass herbicide and SLAY broadleaf-weed herbicide are appropriate to spray on the forages listed on the Arrest and SLAY labels. Efforts to control grasses or weeds should start during seedbed preparation prior to forage planting and may be continued after planting in some cases.

Again, we cannot emphasize strongly enough that you must always read and follow the label instructions when using these, or any other, herbicides and adjuvants (crop oil, surfactant or sticking agent). If you have any questions, be sure to call our in-house consultants at 800-688-3030, ext. 2 BEFORE you proceed.