Herbicide

crowbar032 · Sep 7, 2012

Are there any herbicides out there that will kill all the broadleaf weeds but won't harm clover or fescue? I have a hayfield that has suffered greatly during the drought. Now that we've had a few rains, the weeds are sprouting up between the dormant grass and clover. I just want to get a jump on them before spring. I have a 60 gallon three point sprayer that would cover 14 rows of tobacco I plan on using to cover the field.

Mickey_Fx · Sep 7, 2012

2-4-D is a broad leaf herbicide. If the clover is young the 2-4-D could stunt the clover. Have used 2-4-D for many yrs and around the yard the broad leaf plants would be killed graveyard dead and nearby clover might be stunted, some leaves dying off a leaf tips but never saw the whole plant killed.

greasemonkeyok · Sep 7, 2012

Might want to check out any literature available from the county extension agent on restoration of pasture damaged by drought. It may need phosphorus, potassium, and magnesium in addition to nitrogen. We were told that adding nitrogen alone would actually damage the grass, but that may be location specific.

crowbar032 · Sep 8, 2012

Well, unfortunately I did all of that this spring. Took soil samples, then added lime and fertilizer according to the analysis test results. Then no rain all summer, not much of the seed germinated but the weeds did excellent.

swines · Sep 12, 2012

Then you should have used a pre emergent herbicide - a bit late for that now. There are a number of herbicides that will work on broadleaf weeds. As suggested, any herbicide with 2-4-D will work.

I like and use Trimec. One of the pre emergents I like is Dynaweed. It is a granular product made from corn gluten and is not toxic to animals. The only problem I've found with Dynaweed is that is works longer than a standard pre emergent. I treated one area last year and it's still working this year - meaning, if I had seeded with grass seed, it would have stopped the grass seed from germinating.

If you use a liquid pre emergent, it works by coating the seeds that are on the ground. Usually, there is a waiting period between the application of a liquid pre emergent and when you can seed - but, unlike Dynaweed you can seed within about 4-6 weeks of applying a pre emergent.

crowbar032 · Sep 12, 2012

swines said:
Then you should have used a pre emergent herbicide - a bit late for that now. There are a number of herbicides that will work on broadleaf weeds. As suggested, any herbicide with 2-4-D will work.

I like and use Trimec. One of the pre emergents I like is Dynaweed. It is a granular product made from corn gluten and is not toxic to animals. The only problem I've found with Dynaweed is that is works longer than a standard pre emergent. I treated one area last year and it's still working this year - meaning, if I had seeded with grass seed, it would have stopped the grass seed from germinating.

If you use a liquid pre emergent, it works by coating the seeds that are on the ground. Usually, there is a waiting period between the application of a liquid pre emergent and when you can seed - but, unlike Dynaweed you can seed within about 4-6 weeks of applying a pre emergent.

Well, it's kinda a long convuluded story. A neighbor lady, told me that she would pay for the supplies if I would do the work and give me the hay. She said it would be cheaper than paying someone to bush hog 13 acres a couple times a year. She went through the local extension office that dictated what had to be done and could not be deviated from due to a government program to install hay fields. It had to be sprayed twice by the co-op with two weed killers, limed, no till seeded, then fertilized when it was an inch tall. My hands were kinda tied. Everything may have been fine if we hadn't had the drought. Now next spring, the government will buy the seed since the drought killed it this year. I was just going to cheat and spray to make sure I don't get (more) weeds.

rdbigfarmboy · Sep 13, 2012

Clover is a broadleaf.
Thickening your desirable grass stand is the best option.
I would reseed this fall and fertilize. then next spring take a peek at whats sprouting and growing and add clover seed if needed. Fertilize a little earlier in the season to boost your desirable grasses.
I add seed usually in the fall (right now) and then clover in the dead of winter both broadcast and in cow salt on pastureland.

swines · Sep 13, 2012

I see...we're from the government and here to help you. Never mind that changing conditions require a change in operation. Well, as long as next year's seed is "free" (paid for by taxpayer dollars) - might as well take advantage of the program.

Fossil Farm · Sep 13, 2012

She went through the local extension office that dictated what had to be done and could not be deviated from due to a government program to install hay fields. It had to be sprayed twice by the co-op with two weed killers, limed, no till seeded, then fertilized when it was an inch tall. My hands were kinda tied. Everything may have been fine if we hadn't had the drought. Now next spring, the government will buy the seed since the drought killed it this year. I was just going to cheat and spray to make sure I don't get (more) weeds.

You may want to double check her story. If she is getting paid for planting "hay" she may have enrolled the field in the CRP program at the local FSA office, not the extension office. If that is the case, you cannot take off the hay without approval and she loses her yearly payment. The story just does not add up. Extension has never been in the payment business that I have ever heard of. Be careful before proceeding.

smstonypoint · Sep 13, 2012

Fossil Farm said:
You may want to double check her story. If she is getting paid for planting "hay" she may have enrolled the field in the CRP program at the local FSA office, not the extension office. If that is the case, you cannot take off the hay without approval and she loses her yearly payment. The story just does not add up. Extension has never been in the payment business that I have ever heard of. Be careful before proceeding.

I agree that this sounds like a USDA program -- perhaps an EQIP project through NRCS. A followup to obtain the official "dos and don'ts" is in order.

Steve