Herbicides for Weed Control in Pastures

Recommended Herbicides

• The Texas A&M University Extension lists a number of herbicides for weed control in pastures. These include 2,4-D, triclopyr, metsulfuron, triasulfuron, dicamba, picloram, banvel, clopyralid, phenoxy acid, hexazinone and tebuthiuron. The chemicals are sold under different trade names. They require strict adherence to instructions regarding application rates and the post-application waiting period before grazing is safe. Certain herbicides have no waiting periods before grazing or hay production. These include clopyralid, metsulfuron and triasulfuron.

Advantages

• Though it may seem excessive to rely on chemicals for managing weeds in pastures, herbicides offer a number of advantages in pasture weed management. Herbicides are not only effective but also economical and convenient. Weed reduction makes it possible to plant fields with less tillage and at earlier dates, creating more time for other important farm duties. In many cases, herbicides can bolster mechanical and cultural methods of weed management.

Application Time

• Depending on the growth traits of your weeds, herbicides are most effective when used at certain growth stages. Annual weeds are best controlled in the seedling state. Biennial weed species respond optimally when treated at the rosette stage, before they've bolted or produced seed heads. For best control of perennial weeds, spray during early fall when the plants are in the budding or blooming stages.

Suggestions

• In pastures where weeds comprise 50 percent or more of the stand, either renovate the pasture entirely or practice rotation with a different forage, according to the Pennsylvania State University Extension. Forage stands that thin due to weed removal don't thicken automatically and require overseeding to fill empty land space. Monitor treated areas carefully as many weeds are tolerant to applied herbicide and can rapidly fill in bare land left by susceptible weeds. This often leads to a worse problem than before.