Picker-bush in hay bales

ryanwheelock · Jul 29, 2010

Mowed an old field last night and it had a lot of a weed that has long pickers that look like sharp tooth-picks. Questions, will the horses and cows pick around the pickers when eating the hay. Those pickers look like they could cause an infection or something if stuck into their mouth. And will mowing of the field before the weed gets seeds kill them out over time???
Thanks
Ryan

showcrop · Jul 29, 2010

Sounds like it could be Locust which will not from my experience die off. I would spray them with Ortho Brush killer when they are up about 8 inches.

NY 986 · Jul 29, 2010

Probably will want to up the feed volume as they will pick around such plants. If they are force fed the prickers (in other words no alternative besides the pricker hay) they will have difficulty, reduce intake, and you will have unhealthy animals in a hurry. Extreme bales should be just set aside or completely discounted for the daily feed allowance.

Nancy Howell · Jul 29, 2010

If the weeds are annuals (sprouts from seed), then mowing before the weed has gone to seed will greatly reduce the numbers of that weed the next year.

If the weed is a perennial(sprouts from existing roots), mowing before the weed goes to seed is effective only in that it will reduce new weeds for next year, but the perennial weeds that are in the field now will come back next year.

Over several years, mowing will have a limited effect on the existing perennial weeds. For effective eradication of perennials, you need to spray with the appropriate herbicide.

NY 986 · Jul 29, 2010

Can't speak to other parts of the US but a healthy stand of whatever grasses and legumes that need to be in your field are your best defense. The thing that really stood out when I took agronomy in college is the extensive supply of weed seed that is present in most soils. Mechanical and chemical suppression in one year will not guarantee elimination in subsequent years.

NY 986 · Jul 29, 2010

The more I think about the more I think you have an issue with thistles in your field. Again, a good stand of whatever crop needs to be there should prevent it from being active in the field. Thistle is very prevalent here in NY. Stop monkeying around and get the local fertilizer/chemical/seed salesperson out to your place and figure out what you need based on field conditions. Example being clover will survive in a wet field for a couple of years (and longer if allowed to go to seed periodically) and alfalfa will be wiped out after the first extensive wet spell if not sooner.

amnion · Jul 29, 2010

I agree that strong stands of hay crop is the best defense. Maintain nutrient levels in the soil such that the grass and legumes have an advantage.

I also agree that cutting annual weeds just before they seed helps a lot. Cut the crop early if necessary.

With massive amounts of invasive perennial weeds you have two choices: kill with heavy chemicals or mouldboard plow.

Depending on the type of thistle, some animals may consume it; but most likely, they will choose to pick around it.

Picker-bush in hay bales

ryanwheelock

Member

showcrop

Well-known Member

NY 986

Well-known Member

Nancy Howell

Well-known Member

NY 986

Well-known Member

NY 986

Well-known Member

amnion

Member

Similar threads