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A Thorn in Your Side
The following weeds continue to challenge cattle producers nationwide, according to our boots-on-the-ground team of Corteva Range & Pasture Specialists. These weeds reduce both forage quality and quantity, creating ongoing production issues What are the top three worst offenders?
#1: Thistles
Thistles come in many different species and take the top spot in the most aggravating weed families category. Of the four main types that are most concerning for U.S. cattle producers, musk, bull, and Scotch thistles are biennials, while Canada thistle is a hardy perennial. Thistles can be easily recognized by their spiny leaves and round, purple or pink flowers, which resemble pincushions. Thistles not only compete with forage grasses for moisture and nutrients, they also reduce available grazing acres, as cattle avoid these thorny weeds.
Treatment:
To preserve white clover and annual lespedeza apply NovaGraz™ herbicide at 24 fluid ounces per acre plus 1% MSO v/v for biennial thistle control. . For bull and musk thistle, apply 16 fluid ounces of DuraCor® herbicide per acre or 1¼ pints per acre of GrazonPD3™ herbicide at the rosette stage, or apply 2 to 2⅔ pints per acre of GrazonPD3 from bolting to bud stage. For Scotch thistle, apply 16 to 20 fluid ounces of DuraCor per acre or 1¼ pints per acre of GrazonPD3 at the rosette stage, or 2 to 2⅔ pints per acre of GrazonPD3 from bolting to bud stage. For Canada thistle, apply 16 to 20 fluid ounces of DuraCor per acre or 2½ pints per acre of GrazonPD3 before the bud stage.
#2: Silverleaf Nightshade
Silverleaf nightshade typically is 1 to 3 feet tall and has leaves that appear gray or silvery with violet, light blue, or white flowers. The stems are sparsely covered with short, yellow thorns. Leaves and stems are covered in a layer of dense silvery hair.
Treatment:
Apply 16 to 20 fluid ounces of DuraCor® herbicide per acre or 1.5 to 2.1 pints of GrazonNext® HL herbicide or 20 to 32 fluid ounces of GrazonPD3™ herbicide per acre, during bloom. Use the higher rate in range when flowering or when weeds are larger. Re-treatment is necessary for total control.
#3: It’s a tie!
Horseweed (marestail), woolly croton, western ragweed, and horsenettle tied for third place in our Range & Pasture specialist survey.
Find treatment options for these and other weeds in the latest Range & Pasture Weed ID Guide. Contact your Corteva Agriscience Range & Pasture specialist to create a tailored control plan.
Download the Corteva Range & Pasture Weed ID Guide: RangeAndPasture.com/StewardWeedID
If you are in the far Western US, download the Western Weed and Brush ID Guide: RangeAndPasture.com/WesternWeeds
GrazonPD3™ is a Restricted Use Pesticide. GrazonPD3 is not for sale, distribution or use in Nassau and Suffolk counties in New York state. Under normal field conditions, DuraCor® is non-volatile. DuraCor and GrazonNext® HL herbicides have no grazing or haying restrictions for any class of livestock, including lactating dairy cows, horses (including lactating mares) and meat animals prior to slaughter. Label precautions apply to forage treated with DuraCor or GrazonNext HL to manure and urine from animals that have consumed treated forage. Consult the label for full details. GrazonNext HL is not for sale, distribution, or use in New York State and San Luis Valley of Colorado. White clover and annual lespedeza exhibit some initial injury (such as lodging and loss of vigor) with NovaGraz, but recover. DuraCor® and NovaGraz™ are not registered for sale or use in all states. Contact your state pesticide regulatory agency to determine if a product is registered for sale or use in your state. Always read and follow label directions.