There is a simple, inexpensive way to reduce errors in herbicide applications and limit off-target chemical drift. One such way is the “Flag the Technology” program by the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service.

The idea is simple: Color-coded bicycle flags or similar markers placed at field entrances or other conspicuous locations indicate the use of different herbicide technologies.The idea is simple: Color-coded bicycle flags or similar markers placed at field entrances or other conspicuous locations indicate the use of different herbicide technologies.

The system is gaining popularity in the Midwest and can make the difference between a healthy crop and a damaged or dead one.

Red flags signify conventional crop varieties with no herbicide technology traits while white may represent Roundup Ready technology that is tolerant to glyphosate. Bright green indicates LibertyLink technology, which is tolerant to glufosinate. Bright yellow is the color for Clearfield technology, which is tolerant to imazethapyr (Newpath) and imazamox (Beyond). Multiple flags represent stacked technologies.