Date post: | 22-Dec-2015 |
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Why Should I Worry? 1 Acre Weed Free Pasture/Horse = 40% to
60% of Yearly Feed Bill.
2 Acres Weed Free Pasture/Horse = 90% of Yearly Feed Bill (Haying Required)
Feed Ration is Unknown When Weedy
Some Weeds are Poisonous or Noxious
Weeds Reduce the Quality & Value of Hay
Weed Overview Interfere with forage establishment, yield,
and quality Compete for resources:
Light Space Nutrients Water
Weeds are indicators of deficiencies in a forage management program
Weed Overview Classified based on life span, season of
growth and method of reproduction
1. Annuals – Complete life cycle in one year and germinates in
spring or summer
2. Biennial – Complete life cycle in two consecutive growing
seasons and germinates in late summer or early fall
3. Perennials – Persist for more than 2 years and reproduce from
seed or asexually
Weed Overview Designations:
Native – part of North America plant communities before Europeans colonized the continent
Invasive – exotic species that pose a special threat because they lack natural enemies to limit population growth
Noxious – weeds that are regulated by law
Weed Management To plan an effective weed management
program, a producer must be able to identify weeds and understand how weed biology and ecology affects where weeds are found and their value or detriment.
Weed control decisions are based largely on visual thresholds and intuition.
Begins long before crop establishment.
Weed Management Some things to consider…
New establishment? Established pasture?
Management strategy
Incremental goal-setting
Where to start? Pasture-invading weed species should be
assessed for: Competitive ability – potential to reduce
desirable forage species Invasiveness – potential to multiply and
increase Yield quality – nutritive value relative to
desirable forage species Cost and effectiveness of control measures –
cultural, mechanical and chemical
Causes of an Unprofitable Pasture Overstocking
Cutting Strategies
Climate
Fertility and pH
Pest Control
Weed Management Strategies Prevention
removing weed seed and vegetative material from farming implements before preparing a seedbed for forage grasses
Planting seed that is not contaminated with weed seed
Control process of minimizing weed interference with
desirable plants to meet economic and production goals
Weed Management Strategies Eradication
complete elimination of weed requires removal of living plants and
destruction of seed in the soil
Early detection followed by swift, intensive and aggressive effective control measures during early invasion are essential to eliminate the invader.
Cultural Control Includes anything that makes a crop more
competitive against weeds Focuses on improving the “health” of native
plants Practices include:
Fire Grazing Haying Revegetation or reseeding Plant competition Liming Fertilizing
Cultural Control – Things to consider… Consider seedbed preparation, planting
date, fertilization, planting population, and high-quality crop seed and select adapted species and varieties
Prevention is the most important tool for managing weeds on established pastures
Managing a dense, competitive forage is key to preventing weed invasion and interference
Cultural Control – Things to consider… Overseed in open areas
Test soils & fertilize annually
Rotational grazing systems
Prevent dispersal of seeds
Cultural Control - Fire Useful and essential practice to meet land
management objectives Used to control woody plants Can help increase nutritive value of
dominant grasses Increase grass seed production
Transition Pasture SystemsAnnual Forages
Renovate and reseed pastures until pasture problems are solved.
Use annual forages to correct or overcome pasture deficiencies or failures.
Use annual forages to develop successful perennial pastures.
Mechanical Control Involves either removal of the aerial
portions of the weed or removal of enough of the root and crown to kill the plant
Practices include: Tilling Mowing Removal by hand
Mechanical Control – Things to consider… Repeated mowing can:
reduce competitive ability deplete root carbohydrates prevent seed production
Mow at a height above grass seedlings when weeds are 8 to 10 inches tall to reduce shading
Mechanical Control – Things to consider… If you see a new weed, dig it, pull it, or
remove the seedhead before seeds can disperse
Mowing can kill or suppress annual and biennial weeds
High cost of these more energy intensive treatments limits their widespread use
Chemical Control Herbicides provide a convenient,
economical and effective way to help manage weeds
Allow fields to be planted with: Less tillage Earlier planting dates Additional time to perform the other tasks that
farm or personal life require Spot spraying is most economical
alternative for scattered infestations of weeds
Biological Control Release of organisms that attack plants to
control weeds
Aim is to shift the balance of competition between the weed and the crop in favor of the crop and against the weeds
Historically insects and mites have been most important
Biological Control Tools currently utilized:
Insects Mites Nematodes Pathogens Grazing Animals
Can be cost effective, environmental safe, self-perpetuating, and well suited to an integrated weed management program
Biological Control Strategies Conservation
involves manipulation of the environment to enhance the effect of existing natural enemies
usually used to manage native weeds
Augmentation employs periodic release of natural enemies restricted to managing weeds in high-value
food crops
Biological Control Importation
known as “classical” biological control the planned relocation of natural enemies of
exotic weeds from their native habitats onto weeds in their naturalized habitats
seeks to reestablish weed and natural enemy interactions that reduce the weed population to an acceptable level in the new environment
Grazing Animals Can be used to minimize the spread of
certain weeds and to control large infestations
Does not completely eradicate weeds Common animals:
Cattle Sheep Goats* Horses
Biological Control – Limitations Success in the past 200 years has been
variable
Hard to control alone due to environmental changes
Although slow in coming, it may have a major impact on managing problem weeds in pasture systems in the future
Integrative Management A program that combines cultural,
mechanical, chemical, and perhaps biological tools
Can provide a effective economical weed management program in pasture systems
Prevention is the most important consideration for managing weeds in established pasture systems