How to spray several acres to kill dogbane/johnson/pigweed grass?

[prof fate]

It's in part of a hay field, about 4 acres worth.

I can mow it to any height, often as needed.
the johnson grass isn't a big deal IMO, but teh dogbane is poisonous and the pigweed, will, why cut, dry, bale, store and try to feed it only to carry it back out un-eaten to the compost pile. Waste of time/effort.

There are many herbicides that can control Dogbane when they are still seedlings, but few are as effective once the plant has been established. Fall application of 2.4-D is typically the most effective termination method.

2-4D will not be effective for eradicating Johnson grass. Can you spot spray Johnson grass with RoundUp?

How big are the weed plants you trying to kill? Are the weeds growing in anything you want to keep alive?

"...Sounds like a word problem from HS..." Also a question on most pesticide applicator license tests.

 

[EddieWalker]

Here in TX, you have to have an Applicators License to buy 2,4-D so I took the class and passed the test. That was 10 years ago and I let it expire without doing any Continuing Education hours to keep the license.

I can now buy 2,4-D by the quart without a license. I know of people that drive up to Oklahoma and buy it by the gallon because it's not regulated there.

For me, figuring out how much to spray starts with determining how many acres I want to treat. Since I'm dealing with a lot of unwanted plants, I spray on the heavy side. I have a 300 gallon tote that I put on a trailer and pull behind my tractor to spray. I mix 100 gallons at a time, which makes the math really easy. I've learned that in 1st gear, 2nd range, on my tractor, that the amount of water my pump puts out at that speed gives me good coverage per acre. this was trial and error, but really pretty simple to figure out once I got going.

I'm not very consistent with my spraying, so I'm always behind in what needs to be done, or keeping up on doing it. From what I have been told, it's a 5 year process to really get a field to be all quality pasture grass by just spraying. You want to spray when everything is actively growing. Here in East Texas, that's May and October. You want to spray twice a year, and about six months apart.

Here, it's so hot that if you tried to spray now, it would kill what you want to live, and not affect what you want to kill. Total waste of time and money. This time of the year, I just spray round up on my roads and fence lines.

Read the label, it's a small book that lists what it kills, and how much to apply. Know what you are trying to get rid of. Identifying the plants is very important. You can add other chemicals to 2,4-D to target those plants, like Johnson Grass.

If you are in a hurry, it might be worthwhile hiring somebody to do this

 

[Jchonline]

Great info Eddie! My father is just about ready to start managing his fertilizing/spraying operation again (he just retired) so this is timely. He is in Eustace.

 

[prof fate]

Great info, thanks.
The better half hasn't been big on chem spraying, but she's coming round seeing how much less work it is to spray the fence lines/posts rather than weed wack it, keep the weed whacking down to about zip now.

Been mowing monthly for 2 years now and much of the annual weeds are gone, but the perennials are the PITA. I'm still working on her to do rotational grazing - for 20 some years she's had 'the front' and 'the back' and 2 "herds" of horses - 22 acres of pasture and 6 to 8 horses means lots of mowing. Down to 4 now, all in one herd, so we have 2 pastures. I'd like 3...but with the dry summer putting in t-posts is more than mans' work. LOL Like pounding them into concrete.

You can buy 2,4-d at tractor supply here. in gallons. (pennsylvania)

Here in TX, you have to have an Applicators License to buy 2,4-D so I took the class and passed the test. That was 10 years ago and I let it expire without doing any Continuing Education hours to keep the license.

I can now buy 2,4-D by the quart without a license. I know of people that drive up to Oklahoma and buy it by the gallon because it's not regulated there.

For me, figuring out how much to spray starts with determining how many acres I want to treat. Since I'm dealing with a lot of unwanted plants, I spray on the heavy side. I have a 300 gallon tote that I put on a trailer and pull behind my tractor to spray. I mix 100 gallons at a time, which makes the math really easy. I've learned that in 1st gear, 2nd range, on my tractor, that the amount of water my pump puts out at that speed gives me good coverage per acre. this was trial and error, but really pretty simple to figure out once I got going.

I'm not very consistent with my spraying, so I'm always behind in what needs to be done, or keeping up on doing it. From what I have been told, it's a 5 year process to really get a field to be all quality pasture grass by just spraying. You want to spray when everything is actively growing. Here in East Texas, that's May and October. You want to spray twice a year, and about six months apart.

Here, it's so hot that if you tried to spray now, it would kill what you want to live, and not affect what you want to kill. Total waste of time and money. This time of the year, I just spray round up on my roads and fence lines.

Read the label, it's a small book that lists what it kills, and how much to apply. Know what you are trying to get rid of. Identifying the plants is very important. You can add other chemicals to 2,4-D to target those plants, like Johnson Grass.

If you are in a hurry, it might be worthwhile hiring somebody to do this

 

[duffer]

If you want to keep the hay, you might want to try Trimec and MSMA. Trimec will kill most broadleaf weeds, and MSMA is good for crabgrass and some others. I mix the two together in my tank sprayer and spray both at once.

I have 10 acres of bermuda grass, and these 2 chemicals control the weeds nicely. You can get Trimec @ TSC. MSMA might be available locally at a lawn and garden store. Probably not at the big box stores. Worse case, you can get it online.

 

[Fuddy1952]

I'm far from expert on this, just my experience.
Years ago (40) I had a couple acres front yard full of weeds. In Fall after a summer drought I burned it off. I pre-burned around the edge, propane torch and old sweep broom about 3ft wide so I could control it. Then burned on a day without wind. That spring it came back beautiful and I kept it cut.
Had soil tested at local farm store, report came back good a little high in nitrogen.

 

[Hay Dude]

Although people on the internet are generally helpful, read the labels
They will tell you everything you need to know about application.

 

[Complete Turf Care]

MSMA is NOT labeled for use on pastures. Remember, the label is the law. If you apply something in a way that is not described on the label, you are breaking the law!

Please read and follow the label on any and all pesticides you apply. Chemical companies spend millions of dollars to figure out how their products work what are the best uses and rates. I don't have millions of dollars to figure out how a product works, so I follow the label.

As I mentioned in my earlier post, contact your county agent. They will know what works best for your situation. And in most cases, they are happy to help you.

 

[cmyoung2]

As mentioned, Call your county Extension agent. They will be happy to help figure out what will work best and will teach you how to calibrate a sprayer, both critical to both your success in solving your weed issues and not spending more money than necessary, and doing it safely and legally

 

[YLee Kioti]

I emailed Fimco and got a reply from a VP.

Because of my use of Remedy he recommended this one- FIMCO 4 Gallon Pro Series 3 Point Sprayer 2.2 GPM 4 Nozzle

TSC does not carry this one. However, it is better then walking those acres with a four gallon backpack.....as I have for the last three years...

Take a look, have questions email Fimco with you situation.

I was pleasantly surprised to get such a detailed response. So later this year or before next spring I'll have that sprayer.......
Good luck in your search...