Pocket HERB™ has been developed to give extension agents, growers, consultants, and other users a herbicide decision aid that can be used “in the field”.

The software runs on Windows PocketPC computers. These can weigh as little as 9 oz, and will easily fit into a shirt pocket. Costs range from $250-$450.

Using Pocket HERB is simple. On the initial screen, you enter grower and field name, along with soil moisture level (adequate for growth, or dry) and the approximate weed size.

A separate pop-up screen allows you to select conventional or herbicide tolerant varieties.

The following screen allows you to enter field size, estimated yield and selling price, crop height, planting date, and soil pH.

Where applicable, pull-down menus are utilized to minimize the amount of typing required. The next screen allows you to enter the weeds present. A drop-down box allows you to select the weeds from the weed list. You must also enter an estimate of the population of each weed based on field scouting.

When you run the program, the first screen to appear displays an estimate of yield loss and money lost if you choose not to treat at all.

Pocket HERB™ then displays the first treatment based on net economic return.

However, treatments can also be sorted by a number of other factors including maximum weed control and herbicide cost.

You can also examine the estimated control for a specific treatment on the weeds present.