Herbicide or Not, Here We Come

January, 2023
Laura Bennett, Livestock Agent - Multi-County, UF/IFAS Extension Pasco County

Although our weeds don’t “hide”, it is time to “seek” them out. While everything is somewhat dead in pastures, it seems hard to believe that Spring will be here soon. It is now the time to start making a gameplan for killing weeds. There are several principles that will help you be successful in your weed-killing venture, should you choose to go on the offensive.

Cattle in pasture

You may choose to manage weeds with mowing, or you may choose to exist with the weeds by using grazing strategies. However, herbicide application may be necessary to gain back your forage production. There are some important concepts to keep in mind when using herbicide for weed management, both to save money and have successful weed control.

Herbicides affect different aspects of plant “life” and disrupts functions in everyday plant activity. The herbicide’s mode of action will determine what plants it will be effective on. This is very important because if you choose the wrong herbicide, you may have zero response in your targeted weed and may even kill your desirable forage. The Weed Management Guide is a helpful resource for making your herbicide plan and choosing the correct herbicide for your pasture.

Now, be sure you address the common pitfalls of herbicide failures. The environment plays a big roll. Generally, you want a healthy, growing weed that is still relatively young. A drought stressed, mature, or damaged plant will not actively absorb the herbicide and then respond to it. Amount of time after application before a rainfall event can be problematic. Optimal air temperature will be listed. Wind can “drift” your herbicide away (sometimes to the neighbor), so be extra careful. Poor application and calibration of equipment are especially detrimental to successful herbicide use.

Here is the headline: it is estimated that the herbicide label prevents 95% of herbicide failures. No one likes reading directions, especially a lengthy herbicide label with tiny print. Go to the manufacturer’s website and access the herbicide label on your computer. Then, you can make it as large as you like. Remember, herbicide companies test their products extensively and under all conditions to develop their recommendations. They want you to be successful in your weed management endeavors.

The saying “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” could never be truer. Herbicide and herbicide application is expensive. Make every attempt to use grazing management and soil fertility to maximize your forage’s competitiveness. Get your soil tested. Not encouraging weeds in the first place is best, but herbicide sometimes must be added to your management plan.


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