A safer alternative to Roundup

[TomSeller]

Yikes! Someone threw the grenade in the thread. Can we get back to the subject?

 

[KiotiKowboy]

Yikes! Someone threw the grenade in the thread. Can we get back to the subject?

Yes ... took me by surprise as well - but a response was required.

 

[Smallplot]

First step is to do a soil test. May need lime or be low on needed fertility requirements. fertility levels, or lack thereof, can lead to the unintended creation of favorable growing conditions for the weeds over that of the grass. Just because it is a pasture does not negate the necessity of fertility management. Don't look over noting what kind of weeds are actually growing and the conditions they prefer, this can lead back to fertility/Lime program. Don't forget to check some of the micro nutrients as well.

Type up three proposals. When submitting them to the property owner list them in order of cost and approximate time frame for results.

Proposal #! apply Gly and reseed with acceptable grasses.

Proposal #2 fall plow, winter fallow, spring tillage and seeding of acceptable grasses.

Proposal #3 Monthly mowing, or sooner depending on the type of broadleaf growing, to keep weeds from going to seed.

Add in fuel and labor costs for each proposal. I don't want to force someone into something they don't want to do but provide all the information so they can make a decision based on time frame and facts. If more money goes into your pocket because someone doesn't like herbicides, so be it. They are happy and so are you, which is the ultimate goal. Everyone is happy and relations remain intact to continue doing business.

While the chemical method is the fastest, cheapest, retains the most deep soil OM, and will not effect any part of a healthy soil cycle be prepared to point out the drawbacks of the other methods. Plan #2 will be time consuming, require tillage which will lead to soil erosion, quickly burn up stored OM which will effect water retention during dry times ultimately effecting plant growth when needed most. Also one should point out the soils natural glues binding particles together will be disturbed which leads to erosion. Erosion is not just from water run off but by wind as well.

The third option retains benefits of plan 1 but is likely going to take the longest as the weeds already present have certainly went to seed previously and will take some effort until grass gets thick enough to out-compete the weeds.

Good luck

 

[paulharvey]

First step is to do a soil test. May need lime or be low on needed fertility requirements. fertility levels, or lack thereof, can lead to the unintended creation of favorable growing conditions for the weeds over that of the grass. Just because it is a pasture does not negate the necessity of fertility management. Don't look over noting what kind of weeds are actually growing and the conditions they prefer, this can lead back to fertility/Lime program. Don't forget to check some of the micro nutrients as well.

Type up three proposals. When submitting them to the property owner list them in order of cost and approximate time frame for results.

Proposal #! apply Gly and reseed with acceptable grasses.

Proposal #2 fall plow, winter fallow, spring tillage and seeding of acceptable grasses.

Proposal #3 Monthly mowing, or sooner depending on the type of broadleaf growing, to keep weeds from going to seed.

Add in fuel and labor costs for each proposal. I don't want to force someone into something they don't want to do but provide all the information so they can make a decision based on time frame and facts. If more money goes into your pocket because someone doesn't like herbicides, so be it. They are happy and so are you, which is the ultimate goal. Everyone is happy and relations remain intact to continue doing business.

While the chemical method is the fastest, cheapest, retains the most deep soil OM, and will not effect any part of a healthy soil cycle be prepared to point out the drawbacks of the other methods. Plan #2 will be time consuming, require tillage which will lead to soil erosion, quickly burn up stored OM which will effect water retention during dry times ultimately effecting plant growth when needed most. Also one should point out the soils natural glues binding particles together will be disturbed which leads to erosion. Erosion is not just from water run off but by wind as well.

The third option retains benefits of plan 1 but is likely going to take the longest as the weeds already present have certainly went to seed previously and will take some effort until grass gets thick enough to out-compete the weeds.

Good luck

Ding ding ding; we have the correct answer.

 

[Walkin Horse]

Uhh what was my question again?

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[paulharvey]

Uhh what was my question again?

Sent from my iPhone using TractorByNet

It was how to make a customer happy, while making money.

 

[Walkin Horse]

That's the thing here. I already have horse that she was trying to sell for $5000. So all I have to do is get the grass to grow. Then I keep the horse. Plus I'm boarding 2 of her walking horses.

So I really don't care what the republicans do or if Monsanto goes broke. I'm not going to use DDT or try to ruin the environment.

I have gotten some really good ideas about what to do for her without ever mentioning Roundup to her again. Some ideas even have me thinking about doing things different at my place.

I like the idea of discing one time then sowing buckwheat. Mowing that off then reseeding in fescue. Then in coming years she can deal with the recurring weeds by mowing.

Also one other idea I've had is cover a one acre plot in PALLETTS.

Sent from my iPhone using TractorByNet

 

[GPintheMitten]

That's the thing here. I already have horse that she was trying to sell for $5000. So all I have to do is get the grass to grow. Then I keep the horse. Plus I'm boarding 2 of her walking horses.

So I really don't care what the republicans do or if Monsanto goes broke. I'm not going to use DDT or try to ruin the environment.

I have gotten some really good ideas about what to do for her without ever mentioning Roundup to her again. Some ideas even have me thinking about doing things different at my place.

I like the idea of discing one time then sowing buckwheat. Mowing that off then reseeding in fescue. Then in coming years she can deal with the recurring weeds by mowing.

Also one other idea I've had is cover a one acre plot in PALLETTS.

Sent from my iPhone using TractorByNet

Sounds like a good plan under the circumstances.

 

[deerefan]

Ding ding ding; we have the correct answer.

Agreed. I used proposal 3 and it has worked well for me.

 

[Sodo]

Proposal #3 Monthly mowing, or sooner depending on the type of broadleaf growing, to keep weeds from going to seed.

I suppose the field produces less feed for a longer period?

I've been doing this in a small field and it "seems" to be working, the grasses are winning in a big way, it looks good. But I'm on the 3rd season. It's satisfying but not "quick". I'm not feeding animals, I just like the way a pasture looks - I'd like to have someone graze it if there was anyone around. My dad says to use roundup but he listens to Fox media and gets pretty angry about stuff especially anything to "save the environment". He's not spry (but he was 5 years ago). He never backed away from chemicals, no mask no worries. He thinks DDT could have saved the world. Well I'm hoping I have some of those chemical resistant genes, but will continue to be media resistant if thats possible.

One thing about the mowing method, you offer this method, which aligns with her sensibilities about caring for the land, and nobody can come back that it was a bad idea (provided the grasses do win). Mowing = time, has a pretty specific cost that you can figure out. You get in, get out; a good arrangement for side jobs. During this time other ideas can be considered, as you haven't burned any bridges.