In soybeans, the first 60 days after planting are make-or-break. It’s a race between crop and weeds to close the canopy – and whichever wins sets the trajectory for yield and profitability for years to come. If weeds get the upper hand, they don’t just steal sunlight and nutrients – they rob yield potential. Just a few escapes of waterhemp and Palmer amaranth can cut yields by 5-10%. At $9 soybeans, that’s $90-$100 per acre lost before harvest even begins. The stakes are too high for guesswork or “one-pass” solutions. That’s why a strong residual herbicide program isn’t a “nice to have” – it’s an investment that pays back at harvest and beyond.
Start strong: Protect yield from day one
The best way to win the 60-day window is to prevent weeds from ever gaining a foothold. That’s where a layered program built around residuals is the best defense. A preemergence application with multiple modes of action and lasting residual activity gives soybeans the head start they need and sets the tone for the entire season.
Authority® brand herbicides provide that solid foundation of protection with broad-spectrum, extended activity on tough weeds like Palmer amaranth, waterhemp and kochia from day one to help soybeans start clean. Authority Supreme and Authority Edge herbicides feature sulfentrazone and pyroxasulfone, with half-lives of 70.8 and 34 days, respectively. That long residual helps bridge the gap from planting to postemergence applications, reducing weed escapes and preserving yield potential.
Extend protection to canopy closure
Weed pressure doesn’t stop after planting, and neither should protection. A well-timed second pass helps maintain control and prevent late-emerging weeds from cutting into yields. Applied 21-28 days after a preemergence application, Anthem® MAXX herbicide extends protection with up to 50% longer residual activity than any other Group 15 herbicide. Layered with Authority brand herbicides, Anthem MAXX herbicide delivers overlapping control to help keep soybeans weed-free through the finish line: canopy closure.
The return on investment (ROI) of a program approach
The FMC program approach goes beyond superior weed control; it delivers measurable returns:
- +8.3 bu/A yield advantage with Authority Supreme herbicide followed by Anthem MAXX herbicide, compared to a post-only program.
- +5.1 bu/A more than non-FMC programs with residuals.
The benefits don’t stop at harvest. Weed escapes today mean more seed in the soil seedbank, more pressure in future years and greater risk of herbicide resistance. That translates into more passes, higher costs and tougher fields to manage down the road. By investing in a program approach, growers experience fewer weed escapes, reduced seedbank contribution and more value on every acre.
Protect yield preserve profit
Weed management isn’t just about this year’s harvest – it’s about managing pressure, protecting yield and preserving ROI season after season. An overlapping residual approach with Authority brand herbicides followed by Anthem MAXX herbicide helps growers capture value where it matters most: in cleaner fields, with bushels protected and stronger long-term profitability.
Learn more about building a soybean herbicide program that delivers results at https://ag.fmc.com/us/en/start-clean-stay-clean
Always read and follow all label directions, precautions and restrictions for use. Some products may not be registered for sale or use in all states. FMC, the FMC logo, Anthem and Authority are trademarks of FMC Corporation or an affiliate. Zidua and Outlook are trademarks of BASF. Dual, Tendovo and Prefix are trademarks of a Syngenta Group Company. ©2025 FMC Corporation. All rights reserved. 25-FMC-0841 10/25
