Fall Weed Control Strategies for Grazing and Hay Acres

Protecting forage resources is protecting the legacy of your operation. Fall weed control and management is a critical component to protecting these forage resources each year, because soil space and nutrients utilized by weeds takes away from total grazing days.

“The goal is to graze as long as possible,” shares Rachel Walker, Corteva Range & Pasture specialist. “And what that looks like for me is having things out there that the cattle can actually utilize.”

Walker helps producers across the eastern half of the United States. She spends her days helping producers improve their hay and pasture acres using a variety of tools and strategies but is particularly passionate about increasing the grass footprint.

She explains, “Practically speaking, that means you don't have things like plantain and poison hemlock and thistles out in your grazing space taking up areas that cattle now can’t use.”

Walker starts with these species because they are poisonous and winter emerging species in her region.

“Here in the fall, I would get those weeds out of there,” says Walker. “And then I also remind everybody that rotational grazing is the best way to use what we have out there.”

Walker reminds producers that fall weed control doesn’t have to be an extra trip across acres. UltiGraz Pasture Weed & Feed with DuraCor herbicide makes it possible to both control weeds and fertilize in one pass to save time and labor resources.

She says, “It’s a balance of ‘Can I get fertilizer out? Do I just need some herbicide out here? What do I need?’”

Brush species also can’t be forgotten in the fall. Walker reminds producers that utilizing chemical control methods in the fall is more effective than waiting until spring and only top burning the plant.

She explains, “You've got until you see about 10% canopy color change or first frost, depending on which happens first, to work on all that brush.”

Protecting resources and preventing further encroachment can be a cheap insurance policy when you look at the cost of feeding hay.

“A lot of them [producers] come back and joke that they don't have to feed as much hay anymore,” shares Walker. “Which is music to my ears.”

Once weeds are under control, Walker starts looking for ways to increase diversity on acres to reduce fescue toxicity and increase conception rates. Incorporating white clover is one her favorite ways to do this.

Walker says, “When we move into that progression, that's really the ultimate win because that's where you want to be at.” 

Producers who already have this diversity and want to maintain it can look toward NovaGraz as a tool to control weeds. NovaGraz controls weeds while preserving white clover and annual lespedeza.

“If you are a producer who wants something that is not just a pure grass stand, know that NovaGraz is in the toolbox,” says Walker.

Weeds are never a problem that truly disappear because seed banks are so far ahead. However, getting the major problems taken care of opens the door to more management opportunities.

Walker says, “You have to use what's under hoof first. And using resources that are local to maximize that is always going to be a super high return on investment.”

Learn more at RangeandPasture.com/CattleConversations.