Noxious Weeds Have Hit a Spring Time, Grand Slam!

Noxious Weeds Have Hit a Spring Time, Grand Slam!

Observing local fields, forest edges and roadsides and seeing higher numbers of noxious weeds would suggest the start of a full weed control season. Noxious weeds are known to compete for nutrients and water in our hay fields and pastures. Managing the weeds now, early in the season, will help to insure a good stand of grass for livestock through the summer and for winter forage.

Increased weed pressure observed this spring is a result of last summer extended dry period and its detrimental impact to forage grasses. Voids of grasses in pastures and lawns are evident throughout our local area. These voids have filled quickly with annual and biennial weeds including Wild carrot, Bull thistle, and Common groundsel.

Managing weeds in the spring should consist of an integrated approach of weed treatments along with over seeding (forage grasses) and fertilizing fields to support forage production. Stocking rates and grazing frequency are two other pasture management practices that impact forage production and weed pressure in fields over the course of the growing season.

Forage production is an important asset of our area farms. Managing grass for livestock production is a year around chore to sustain production during seasonal periods of highs and lows. Similarly noxious weeds requires that same year around attention to minimize their impact in the forage production cycle.

Contact the Weed Control Program for assistance in identifying noxious weeds and recommendations for dealing with these grass field pests. 360 740 1215