Weed management in pastures
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Transcript of Weed management in pastures
WEED MANAGEMENT IN PASTURESMeasures to Improve Yield and Quality
Nancy GlazierNWNY Dairy, Livestock & Field Crops Team
The problem with weeds
• Competition with desirable pasture plants
• Lower feed quality
• Toxicity
• Palatability
• No threshold recommendations
A little educationLife cycles
• Annuals• Summer• Winter
• Biennials
• Perennials
Reproduction
• Seeds• Bulbs• Tubers• Roots
• Rhizomes
• Stolons
Control - Cultural• Good management is key
to prevention
• Fertility • Based on soil tests• Fertilize, lime as needed• Keep pasture plants healthy
• Mowing/Clipping• Remove flower heads prior to seed set• May take several clippings per year,
several years• Use hand removal for small areas
Control - Cultural• Good management is key to prevention
• Overseeding, frostseeding • Fill in thin spots• Legumes - provide nitrogen
for grasses• Desirable species fill in
the gaps
• Rotation• Provides rest period• Reduces risk of overgrazing
Control - Biological• Host-specific insects
• Host-specific diseases
• Alternative livestock
Control - Chemical• Follow label – check grazing
restrictions • Broadleaf control in grasses• Grass control in broadleaves
• Check with your local coop. extension for recommendations
• http://ipmguidelines.org/FieldCrops/• http://extension.psu.edu/agronomy-g
uide• Timing is critical for control
• Growing conditions
• Weather conditions
Control – integrated approach• Put all the pieces together
• Good pasture management• Rotation• Fertility to improve pastures• Mowing/Clipping
• Reduce weeds; keep vegetative
• Frostseeding legumes• Chemical control if needed• Spot treatments