How do I reduce weed infestations with grazing management?
The best way to keep weeds from invading a pasture system is to keep the grass healthy and strong. Weeds normally pop up in open spaces where grass plants are not present. By leaving enough grass cover so that the plants can feed themselves and remain strong, we can go a long way in reducing weed invasions into a pasture. This may mean that we will need to reduce stocking rates or move to a rotational stocking system. With introduced grasses, applying fertility can help to strengthen the grasses. It can also make the weeds taste better to the cattle so that they will consume them. By using rotational grazing, we can sometimes force the animals to eat weeds, thereby, reducing the weeds ability to compete with the grass. The bottom line is if we have a healthy, productive, properly stocked forage system, we will have fewer weeds. For More in-depth information, Contact your Local County Extension Educator. Back to top Ask The Expert! For Forage, Crop and Soils Questions Not Listed Here. C
