Plant weed-free seed to help prevent introduction into cropland, and keep field borders thistle-free. It is nearly impossible to control weeds in a thin or weak alfalfa stand. Consequently, management practices need to be implemented prior to flower formation for effective thistle control. Tillage easily eradicates rosettes established during the preceding summer or fall. Weeds have a large effect on forage quality. Mowing can be a helpful means of Russian thistle control if done just as the plant blooms. Apply Raptor at 4 to 6 fl oz/A plus adjuvants to small, actively growing weeds and to established alfalfa in the fall or in the spring. Flixweed (Descurainia sophia), an annual mustard, infestation in alfalfa. alfalfa seed yield. Figure 1. Taking time to manage any perennial weeds prior to alfalfa establishment will help prevent reseeding costs or excessive weed control costs in the future. Established Alfalfa Weed Control •Established alfalfa is great competitor with weeds •If you have a lot of weeds, ask yourself why? Alfalfa growth and management also prevents Canada thistle from producing carbohydrates for survival across time; thus, alfalfa is an alternative to tillage for Canada thistle control. The specific herbicides and control strategies avail-able for use will depend on the type of forage you grow (alfalfa, alfalfa/grass mixture, clovers, or other legumes), whether your stand is a new seeding [prior to first cutting] or an established stand, and the crop growth stage (dormant, nondormant, be-tween cutting). Weed Technol 19 : 1025 – 1029 Miller , TW ( 2016 ) Integrated strategies for management of perennial weeds . Seedlings may emerge I have Canadian Thistle established along a coulee in a hay field that has grass, alfalfa, and sweet clover. Canada thistle [Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop.] If the thistle plants are young, you can do a good job of managing tumbleweeds by simply pulling the plants up by their roots before they seed. Controlling common pokeweed. When a field is cleared and otherwise prepared for planting, it usually presents an ideal environment for weed Russian thistle, also known as tumbleweed, is in the goosefoot family (Chenopodiaceae). The treatments providing the best balance between Canada thistle control (>80%) and alfalfa injury (<13%) were a single ap- Completely out of control, no matter how much pulling I do. WEED CONTROL Field experiments were conducted at Torrington, Powell, Archer, and Sheridan 1985-94 to evaluate factors influencing weed control with Pursuit. Canada thistle is one of the most troublesome and difficult weed species to control in established alfalfa grown for seed production. Pursuit may be used on established alfalfa-grass mixtures. Sencor DF at 0.5- 1.0 lb/A Controlling Canada thistle. and will outcompete seedling alfalfa if the field is planted prior to their control. Alfalfa seed yield was significantly higher following a spring burn at both sites. (The following material has been adapted from Controlling Weeds in Alfalfa, Oregon State University Ext. Asked September 3, 2014, 9:28 PM EDT. Weed Control News. Its scientific name is Salsola tragus, but it also has been known as Salsola iberica, Salsola kali, and Salsola australis. Canada thistle is one of the most troublesome and difficult weed species to control in established alfalfa grown for seed production. This 4-year field study was initiated to secure data on losses due to com-petition of Canada thistle in an alfalfa pasture and its effect on reducing consumption by grazing animals. Alfalfa is an effective competitor only after it is established. Whenever possible, control should be done before plants are flowering to prevent seed production. Perennial grasses harvested for forage also suppressed Canada thistle growth. Canadian Thistle Control Options in Hay Land. Pesticide emergency information. Musk thistle, however, can be a problem in fall-planted grains, alfalfa or clover if conditions are … Musk thistle is primarily a biennial or winter annual, relying on seed to reproduce. Establishment of a vigorous alfalfa stand is essential for long-term weed control. Service Fact Sheet 267, S. Aldrich and L. Burrill) Weed Control in Alfalfa Establishment Proper weed control is important in establishing a new stand on alfalfa. Monroe County, Buckeye Hills EERA . Canada Thistle Biocontrol Agent Can be Collected in Alfalfa. SELECTIVE CONTROL IN ESTABLISHED TREE CROPS-- Applications of glyphosate ROUNDUP 1 1/2 qt per acre directed underneath foliage and green bark of established trees and over Canada thistle 10 to 18 inches tall should be made in late spring or on fall regrowth. “Perennial weeds are typically the biggest issue with alfalfa, the one that we seem to have the most trouble with is Canada thistle,” said Kevin Gulay, research manager for the organization. The Manitoba Forage Seed Association (MFSA) is running herbicide trials with the hopes of providing producers more options for weed control. If a Canada thistle infestation exists in a field that will be rotated to alfalfa, control the weed before seeding alfalfa. Another way these crops (winter wheat, alfalfa, and perennial forage) help control CT is that they emerge and grow earlier in the season than CT; by the time this weed emerges, it is shaded and out-competed by the crop. Introduction Hexazinone is widely used as it is an effective weed control tool in alfalfa seed production. Perennial grasses harvested for forage also suppress Canada thistle growth in this way. P revention is the best control method for both perennial and biennial thistles. I need to treat about 15 - 20 acres and I'm wondering if there are other options besides spot spraying each plant/small area. a large effect on forage quality. It is also important to control annual weeds during the establishment stage to re-duce competition. Establishment of a vigorous alfalfa stand is essential for long­term weed control. Early Detection and Prevention Milk thistle is easier to find once it flowers. However, with regard to Canada thistle control, both researchers and producers have had variable success with hexazinone. Musk thistle is not a serious weed problem in crops requiring a spring seedbed preparation. growth. It can be a profitable crop to grow, but presents a number of challenges, one of which is the control of kochia (Kochia scoparia), which is not effectively controlled with herbicides currently registered for use on seed alfalfa. In older alfalfa fields, weeds are quick to … ... Grasses, especially alfalfa grass, are an easy option for adding competition to a large area. February 12, 2015 Mesbah, AO, Miller, SD (2005) Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense) control in established alfalfa (Medicago sativa) grown for seed production. Control of Russian thistle can be accomplished manually, by chemicals or by planting crops. Typically, this means 1 or 2 sprays per plant. THISTLE CONTROL. Canada Thistle Control: How to Get Rid of Canada Thistle. In older alfalfa fields, weeds are quick to fill in open spaces when stands decline. We conducted trials to evaluate weed control options in alfalfa/grass stands in cold-climate areas where the alfalfa goes dormant over the winter. Alfalfa, brome or alfalfa/brome mixtures are able to supply good competition to help control Canada thistle, and continual top growth removal weakens root reserves. unsatisfactory Canada thistle control (29 to 35%). problems. Controlling hemp dogbane. Current tools available for control are limited because of cultural management strategies associated with seed production. Monitor pastures, areas used by livestock, and roadsides for new populations of milk thistle in May, June and July. Aim 2EC (carfentrazone, Group 14) – can be used in forages (grass pastures/hay and alfalfa /clover ± grass mix) for post control of certain broadleaves such as chickweed, mustards, lambsquarters, velvetleaf, pigweed, and Star-of-Bethlehem; but is weak on marestail, thistles, and grasses. Weeds affect alfalfa during two distinct periods: stand estab­ These late winter weeds are relatively easy to control with several post-emergence herbicides. Canada Thistle is a common invasive plant found in a wide range of areas, especially in the upper mid-west of the United States like in Indiana and Wisconsin. •Control weeds that emerge in fall or late winter before alfalfa greens up in the spring •Control weeds that emerge after cutting or in areas where the alfalfa stand is thin This study was conducted to determine the effects of preharvest glyphosate on Canada thistle control and crop tolerance in alfalfa seed fields. thistle control in various cropping systems, no data are available on losses in improved pastures. Weeds affect alfalfa stands in different ways during the various stages of alfalfa production: prior to establishment, in the seedling stage, and in established stands. Thistles often invade overused or disturbed land, such as cultivated fields. Perhaps one of the most noxious weeds in the home garden, Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense) has a reputation for being impossible to get rid of.We won’t lie to you, Canada thistle control is difficult and requires a significant amount of effort to be successful, but the effort you put into controlling Canada thistle will pay off when you have a garden that is free from this annoying weed. A single thistle plant can produce at least 4,000 seeds, which increases the chance for higher thistle populations in the pasture the following year. Weed control in mixed alfalfa/grass stands is problematic, as the herbicides must be safe to both species. “The thistle population was struggling to recover and a big increase in total forage productivity was still evident. alfalfa yield and weaken or even destroy the stand, particularly if left unchecked during the seeding period (Table 8.1). is increasing in both frequency and density in Saskatchewan alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) seed fields.Application of preharvest glyphosate is an effective means of controlling Canada thistle in annual crops. Then, spritz the vinegar directly onto the thistle plants until the plants are dripping with vinegar. Raptor 1AS (imazamox) — Raptor may be used for weed control in seedling or established alfalfa. This is a rare win-win situation because the greatest thistle control coincided with the grazing system that gave the best production and best utilization of thistle.” Weed Control in Hay & Pasture Fields Mark Landefeld OSU Extension Educator . 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