Originally written by Gared Shaffer, former SDSU Extension Weeds Field Specialist.
When controlling grassland weeds, the mindset of row crop weed control may be put into practice too often. In most cases, broadcast control of weeds in grasslands is rarely necessary. Most often, spot treatment can be used more effectively to manage the noxious and invading weeds. Often, noxious and invading weeds are only in a few areas and do not require the whole grassland to be sprayed. Grasslands typically have about 80% of their biomass as grass, 15% as forbs (broadleaf plants), and 5% as shrubs. For more information on non-chemical options to control weeds in pastures, view the article “Cows Eat Weeds.”
State noxious weeds include; leafy spurge, Canada thistle, perennial sow thistle, hoary cress, Russian knapweed, purple loosestrife and salt cedar. The products below are labeled for control of the mentioned species.
Treatment Options
- Leafy Spurge: Dicamba, Tordon + 2,4D, Tordon, Plateau, Method and Perspective
- Canada Thistle: Dicamba, Overdrive, Milestone, GrazonNext/Forefront, Opensight/Chaparral, Capstone, Tordon + 2,4D, Tordon, Stinger/Transline, Curtail, Vastlan, Telar, Method and Perspective
- Perennial Sow Thistle: 2, 4D, Dicamba, Overdrive, Milestone, GrazonNext/Forefront, Opensight/Chaparral, Capstone, Tordon and Method
- Hoary Cress: Opensight/Chaparral, Plateau, Cimarron Max, Cimarron Plus, Telar, Escort and Perspective
- Russian Knapweed: Dicamba, Milestone, GrazonNext/Forefront, Opensight/Chaparral, Capstone, Tordon, Plateau, Method and Perspective
- Purple Loosestrife: Milestone, Opensight/Chaparral, Capstone, Vastlan, Cimarron Max, Cimarron Plus and Escort
- Salt Cedar: Remedy Ultra and Vastlan
For spot treatment amounts visit manufactures label or the weed control guide on noxious weed, view the publication “2018 Weed Control Noxious Weeds.”
