At production meetings this year and last year, I have commented on the comparison of Brake versus Valor SX. Both herbicides need a Group 15 herbicide as a partner. My comments are based on side-by-side comparisons of Dual Magnum plus Valor SX, Dual Magnum plus Brake, and Dual Magnum plus Valor SX plus Brake. We always have a non-treated control or Dual Magnum by itself in the trial. When compared side-by-side, my experience is that Dual Magnum plus Valor SX and Dual Magnum plus Brake perform the same, and that Dual Magnum plus Valor SX plus Brake is no better than Dual Magnum plus Valor SX. I feel confident in the results from these side-by-side comparisons.However, I also value comments from growers and their advisors on product comparisons as long is we know what the conclusion is based on. Many times, it is this field versus another field or results from this year versus last year. This can lead to a field versus field comparison or a year versus year comparison and not really herbicide versus herbicide comparison. With that said, about 75% of growers in Virginia who used Brake indicated that Brake was more effective than Valor SX. Twenty-five percent indicated that Brake was not more effective than Valor SX. In contrast, about 75% of growers in North Carolina stated that Brake was not better than Valor SX with 25% stating that Brake was better than Valor SX. This makes sense to me (although the exact method of the comparison might really be a year versus year or field versus field comparison) given Virginia peanut fields tend to have more common ragweed than North Carolina fields (statewide), and growers in Virginia have struggled to control this weed with existing chemistry. There are likely numerous fields with resistance to PPO chemistry (Valor SX, Cobra, Ultra Blazer.) In this scenario, Brake would outperform Valor SX. In contrast, PPO resistance so far in North Carolina is limited for both Palmer amaranth and common ragweed.At the end of the day, if you have been struggling to control weeds with a program that includes Dual Magnum plus Valor SX, you may pick up additional weed control by adding Brake to this tank mix. I would always keep Valor SX in the mixture, especially at the price point of Valor SX. Of course, there is a major difference in price between Valor SX and Brake. I know farmers are already thinking about that.Of course, if we get widespread resistance to PPO chemistry, Brake will be more effective. It is hard to put a handle on the economic value, but a major question is would Brake in the system delay PPO resistance in a significant way. I don’t have an answer to that one, but any new site of action in the system would contribute to resistance management.Link to Story: https://peanut.ces.ncsu.edu/news/brake-versus-valor-in-context-peanut-notes-no-26-2026/
