Identifying weed escapes now can sharpen your strategy, protect returns, and set you up for next season’s success. But in the rush to wrap up the season, it’s easy to overlook another key area that can impact both current and future yields: late-season weed management. Scouting at this stage of the season is a critical step that can improve weed control efficacy, inform future herbicide decisions, and ultimately protect return on investment. It’s important to note that winter annuals can also serve as hosts for insects and diseases, making late-season scouting even more valuable. If you let those weeds go unchecked, you’re not just creating a weed problem — you could be creating a host environment for overwintering pathogens or pests.