How to Manage Weeds in a Pasture

Weed control is a critical step in pasture management. Damage rendered by weeds in terms of forage quality, reduced yields and affected animal health often runs into millions of dollars annually. Weeds are more common in poorly maintained pastures with patches of bare ground that invite these unwanted plants. Effective weed management consists of a combination of cultural, mechanical and chemical control methods. Proper weed identification is also critical to effective management efforts. There are a number of ways in which you can manage pasture weeds.

Instructions

- 1
  Scout the pasture regularly for weeds as frequently as every month during the active growing season. Identify weeds correctly to use appropriate control methods.
- 2
  Avoid overgrazing and under grazing pastures more or less than their capacity. Determine the correct animal to pasture ratio to ensure even grazing.
- 3
  Hand cut, mow and dig out weeds as soon as they appear to keep them from spreading. Cut the plants to a height of 3 to 4 inches during the early blooming stage. Dig out with roots or treat with herbicide.
- 4
  Keep the pasture well fertilized with adequate levels of nitrogen. The nutrient encourages grass growth and vigorous grass growth naturally impedes the growth of weeds.
- 5
  Use recommended herbicides to spot treat the weeds growing in small patches. Spot treatment refers to chemical application to the foliage and roots of target plants only.
- 6
  Broadcast or spray herbicide over the entire pasture in cases of greater weed infested areas. Broadcasting is used only as a last resort form of herbicide application, since many pasture herbicides will also damage legumes.
- 7
  Avoid the use of feeding hay and manure that is likely to be infested with weed seeds. Make sure you clean all equipment that has been used in weedy pastures in non-infested areas.
- 8
  Use herbicides to control weeds prior to planting pastures to reduce weed infestations later. Use products containing glyphosate before seeding the pasture, recommends the University of Massachusetts Extension.

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