Marking flags serve many purposes for various industries. However, they mean something different for lawn and turf, agricultural, and research industries than for other industries. Throughout this blog, we’ll learn what each survey flag color means and why it’s important.
What’s the Reasoning for Different Land Survey Flag Colors?
Field-based companies follow the Flag the Technology method, which uses temporary survey marking flags to prevent misapplication of pesticides and warn employees and pedestrians of sensitive technologies. The primary objectives of the Flag the Technology program are to reduce herbicide application errors and to foster good community relations.
As technology continues to advance the way we manage weeds in crops, it’s essential that we use color-coded survey flags to mark what crops are herbicide-tolerant. This reduces the risk of adding herbicides to crops that will stunt their growth.
Survey marking flags come in numerous colors, and each color represents a different technology. Since there are many different marking flag colors, it can be hard to know what each color means. Here are each of the flag marker colors and what they signify:
Red
Red flags mark the ground to signify conventional varieties with no herbicide technology traits. When approaching an area with red flags, it’s important to yield extreme caution.
White
White flags represent the presence of Roundup Ready™ technology. This technology is tolerant to glyphosate or Roundup® herbicide.
Bright Green
Bright green flags indicate the presence of Liberty Link™ technology. This technology is tolerant to glufosinate (Liberty®) herbicide.
Bright Yellow
Bright yellow flags are the chosen color for Clearfield™ rice technology and STS™ soybeans. However, although many herbicides are in the ALS family, crops with this technology are not tolerant to all ALS herbicides.
A yellow flag spotted in a grain sorghum field signifies tolerance to Inzen™ brand grain sorghum from DuPont. This sorghum tolerates Zest® herbicides and has the active ingredient nicosulfuron.
Teal
Teal flags represent tolerance to both 2,4-D and FOP (ACCase) herbicides or the Enlist™ technology. These teal flags also have white stripes on the ends to indicate tolerance to glyphosate. For Enlist™ cotton and soybean fields, a green flag should be posted in addition to the teal flag to demonstrate tolerance to glufosinate (Liberty®).
Black and White Checkered Flags
Black and white checkered flags indicate tolerance to dicamba herbicide or Xtendimax®/Engenia®. The checkerboard look implies tolerance to both dicamba and glyphosate. Like the teal flag, a green flag should also be added to the black and white checkered flag to denote glufosinate (Liberty®) tolerance.
Purple
Purple flags symbolize Provisia™ rice from BASF, which tolerate Provisia® herbicides. These herbicides are harmful to both conventional and Clearfield™ rice. In addition, Provisia™ rice does not tolerate Clearfield™ herbicides. The active ingredient in Provisia® is quizalofop, an ACCase inhibitor. However, this technology does not condone all ACCase inhibitors.
Axiom Products—Your Ultimate Survey Flag Color Provider
Since 2004, Axiom Products has supplied businesses in the lawn and turf, agricultural, and research industries with high-quality marking flags. We offer a wide selection of reusable land marking flags in different heights and colors to meet the specific needs of your business, customers, and employees.
Our marking flag collection makes it easy to mark field intakes, drainage tiles, chemical applications, property lines, and underground utilities. Axiom’s marking flags feature:
- 5’ and 8’ options for easy visibility
- Solid color options: blue, green, white, yellow, orange, and red
- Flags with reflective strips available in orange, blue, and yellow
- Premium materials for heavy-duty applications
- Engineered to withstand any outdoor environment
- Customizable marking flags to increase brand awareness
Each of our marking flag orders comes in a case quantity of forty flags, so you always have enough for your jobsite’s day-to-day operations.
In addition to providing customers with marking flags, we source and manufacture measuring products to contain all your business’s harsh chemicals and technologies. We carry a variety of pitchers, containers, and scoops to guarantee you’re always bringing the necessary materials with you to the jobsite.
Connect with us today to start your first order of survey marking flags and measuring products!
