Posted: July 28, 2025

How to Control Pests and Weeds in Crop Production

Best practices and effective herbicides, pesticides and fungicides to support your farm.

Whether you’re running a family farm or a larger agricultural operation, managing the insidious species that can kill, spoil and stunt your crops is a full-time job. In Hardin and across Montana, farmers are working to stop weeds, pests, mold and fungal invaders. And Valley Farmers Supply is here to help! As a farmer-owner coop, we have a tried and tested inventory of crop protection products, plus decades of knowledge and experience about how to maximize your yield.

In this article, we’ll discuss some of the best ways to prevent weeds, pests and other invasive species.

Tip #1: Apply Proper Ground Cover

The best start is employing tactics to deny weeds the opportunity to grow and thrive. Many farmers start their growing season by applying a solid layer of mulch, paper or plastic. This coverage not only stymies weed growth, but it also helps your soil retain moisture. Additionally, natural mulches can impart nutrients to the soil.

Tip #2: Plant Cover Crops

Another effective option is planting cover crops like peas, turnips, radishes and lentils. Cover crops can offer an amazing range of benefits:

1. They provide ground coverage comparable to mulch.
2. They cut off weed seeds’ access to light and other nutrients.
3. They deny nutrients and water to weeds.
4. Some crops impart nutrients and even natural herbicides to the soil.
5. Cover crops encourage activity from bees and other pollinators.

It’s crucial to choose the best complementary cover crops, develop a planting schedule and prevent them from becoming invasive themselves. The Natural Resources Conservation Service offers effective guidance — and you can always reach out to one of our agronomy experts!

Tip #3: Attract Helpful Animals and Insects

Wouldn’t it be nice to be able to just put up a “Get Out” sign in your field and know the pests would leave your crops alone?

While that won’t work, you can still make the area around your planting less inviting. Here are some options:

1. Plant cover crops that can break up soil and disrupt below-ground insects.
2. Put insectaries into place to attract bugs that can help your operations but controlling pests.
3. Erect nesting structures for bats and owls.

Tip #4: Talk to Us About Effective Crop Protection Products

Sometimes, the most effective way to keep pests, weeds and fungal risks away from your crops is with carefully selected and blended crop protection applications. Valley Farmers Supply offers a large selection of top-rated pesticides, herbicides, fungicides and other chemical protection. We choose these products to address the most pervasive issues facing Montana farmers, including cheatgrass, Russian olive and white mold. Moreover, we can provide seed varieties and fertilizer blends that include these protective elements.

Reach out to Valley Farmers Supply today, and one of our experienced and highly trained team members will begin developing a customized crop protection plan for your operation. We’re committed to helping you maximize your crop yields for years to come!