Pest Management In Pastures and Hayfields

Steve Morgan, Extension Agent, Harris County

The University of Georgia

QUESTIONSQUESTIONS

What is a weed?What is a weed?

With respect to pastures, do you want to With respect to pastures, do you want to eliminate all weeds?eliminate all weeds?

What causes weeds in pastures and hayfields?What causes weeds in pastures and hayfields?

Pasture Weed IssuesPasture Weed Issues

Lack of management - fertility, lime, Lack of management - fertility, lime, mowing, overgrazingmowing, overgrazing

No weed control - only 15% of Georgia No weed control - only 15% of Georgia pastures are sprayed on annual basispastures are sprayed on annual basis

Grazing restrictionsGrazing restrictions

Legume tolerance Legume tolerance

Positive Attributes of “Weeds” in Positive Attributes of “Weeds” in PasturesPastures

Can dilute toxins in tall Can dilute toxins in tall fescue during critical fescue during critical timestimes– Chickweed, crabgrass, Chickweed, crabgrass,

dallisgrass, lespedezadallisgrass, lespedeza

Can extend grazing Can extend grazing season and improve season and improve productivityproductivity– Crabgrass in tall fescueCrabgrass in tall fescue

Can improve qualityCan improve quality– CrabgrassCrabgrass Chickweed, curly dock, shepherds purse

and tall fescue mixture. Eatonton GA

Forage WeedsForage Weeds

IdentificationIdentification

Treatment OptionsTreatment Options

Buttercup (Winter Annual)Buttercup (Winter Annual)– Treatment Options: 2,4-D, Weedmaster, Treatment Options: 2,4-D, Weedmaster,

Grazon P+D, Cimarron or Milestone in late Grazon P+D, Cimarron or Milestone in late winter/early spring before yellow bloom. winter/early spring before yellow bloom. Remedy, Crossbow and Redeem are also Remedy, Crossbow and Redeem are also listed as excellent on buttercup. listed as excellent on buttercup.

Bitter Sneezeweed (Summer Annual)Bitter Sneezeweed (Summer Annual)– Treatment Options: 2,4-D, Weedmaster, Treatment Options: 2,4-D, Weedmaster,

Grazon P+D or Cimarron in late spring or Grazon P+D or Cimarron in late spring or early to mid summer. You can treat in early to mid summer. You can treat in May/June when plants are 2 to 4 inches tall May/June when plants are 2 to 4 inches tall with 2,4-D at 1.0 pt/acre. Remedy, Crossbow, with 2,4-D at 1.0 pt/acre. Remedy, Crossbow, Redeem, Banvel or Vanquish, Surmount and Redeem, Banvel or Vanquish, Surmount and PastureGard are also listed as excellent on PastureGard are also listed as excellent on bitter sneezeweed.bitter sneezeweed.

Blackberry Briars (Perennial)Blackberry Briars (Perennial)– Treatment Options: Remedy, PastureGard Treatment Options: Remedy, PastureGard

Surmount or CimarronSurmount or Cimarron– Smilax species (Greenbrier) extremely difficult Smilax species (Greenbrier) extremely difficult

to control. Crossbow, Banvel or Vanquish to control. Crossbow, Banvel or Vanquish and Weedmaster are also listed as excellent and Weedmaster are also listed as excellent on wild rose.on wild rose.

Broomsedge (Perennial)Broomsedge (Perennial)– No herbicide listed for controlNo herbicide listed for control– This weed usually indicates low fertility and This weed usually indicates low fertility and

low pH.low pH.

Crabgrass: (Summer Annual)Crabgrass: (Summer Annual) – Varieties: Tropical, Smooth, Large & Southern Varieties: Tropical, Smooth, Large & Southern – Treatment Options: A spreading grass. Roundup Treatment Options: A spreading grass. Roundup

WeatherMax (glyphosate) is labeled immediately after first WeatherMax (glyphosate) is labeled immediately after first Bermuda hay cut if crabgrass is present.Bermuda hay cut if crabgrass is present.

– Journey is labeled for Bermuda. Journey is labeled for Bermuda. – No control in fescue or other pastures No control in fescue or other pastures

Dogfennel -- SummerDogfennel -- Summer Cedar (Perennial) Cedar (Perennial) --Treatment Options: Treatment Options: Mowing in late August Mowing in late August early September. early September. Treat Treat 8 to 12 inch tall 8 to 12 inch tall plants with plants with Weedmaster, Grazon Weedmaster, Grazon P+D, PastureGard or P+D, PastureGard or Surmount. Remedy, Surmount. Remedy, Crossbow, Redeem Crossbow, Redeem and Banvel or and Banvel or Vanquish.Vanquish.

Foxtail or Foxtail Millet (Spreading Foxtail or Foxtail Millet (Spreading Perennial) (Yellow, Green or Knotroot)Perennial) (Yellow, Green or Knotroot)– Treatment Options: See comments on Treatment Options: See comments on

crabgrass.crabgrass.

Henbit (Winter Annual)Henbit (Winter Annual)– Treatment Options: Grazon P+D, Surmount, Treatment Options: Grazon P+D, Surmount,

Cimarron or Milestone in Bermuda. Apply Cimarron or Milestone in Bermuda. Apply before henbit blooms. Once it blooms it is before henbit blooms. Once it blooms it is very hard to control. Remedy, Crossbow, very hard to control. Remedy, Crossbow, Redeem, Weedmaster, and Banvel or Redeem, Weedmaster, and Banvel or Vanquish are also listed as excellent on Vanquish are also listed as excellent on henbit henbit

Horsenettle (Spiny perennial with Horsenettle (Spiny perennial with rhizomes)rhizomes)– Treatment Options: Grazon P+D, Surmount, or Treatment Options: Grazon P+D, Surmount, or

Milestone. Milestone. – Apply to emerged plants before bloom.Apply to emerged plants before bloom.

Johnsongrass: Coarse perennial w/rhizomesJohnsongrass: Coarse perennial w/rhizomes– Use a ropewick or spot treatment with Roundup Use a ropewick or spot treatment with Roundup

WeatherMax (glyphosate).WeatherMax (glyphosate).– See handout on Maverick in Bermuda hay fields See handout on Maverick in Bermuda hay fields

Nutsedge: -- Nutgrass (Spreading Perennial)Nutsedge: -- Nutgrass (Spreading Perennial)– Use Maverick in Bermuda only. Use Maverick in Bermuda only. – No herbicide control in Fescue No herbicide control in Fescue

Pigweed: -- Pigweed: -- Smooth / Common (Summer Annual)Smooth / Common (Summer Annual)– Treatment Options: Treatment Options: 2,4-D, Weedmaster, Grazon P+D 2,4-D, Weedmaster, Grazon P+D

or Cimarron when plants are 2 to 8 inches tall. or Cimarron when plants are 2 to 8 inches tall. Don’t wait until they are 3 feet tall. Remedy, Don’t wait until they are 3 feet tall. Remedy, Crossbow, Milestone, and Banvel or Vanquish are Crossbow, Milestone, and Banvel or Vanquish are also listed as excellent on pigweed species.also listed as excellent on pigweed species.

Sicklepod: (Summer Annual)Sicklepod: (Summer Annual)– Treatment Options: 2,4-D, Weedmaster, Treatment Options: 2,4-D, Weedmaster,

Grazon P+D or Cimarron when plants are 2 to Grazon P+D or Cimarron when plants are 2 to 8 inches tall. Don’t wait until they are 3 feet 8 inches tall. Don’t wait until they are 3 feet tall. Remedy, Crossbow, Milestone, and tall. Remedy, Crossbow, Milestone, and Banvel or Vanquish are also listed as Banvel or Vanquish are also listed as excellent on pigweed species.excellent on pigweed species.

Smartweed -- PA Smartweed (Summer Smartweed -- PA Smartweed (Summer Annual)Annual)– Treatment Options: Can be tough to control with Treatment Options: Can be tough to control with

2,4-D. Suggest Grazon P+D, Surmount, Cimarron, 2,4-D. Suggest Grazon P+D, Surmount, Cimarron, Weedmaster or Milestone. Apply before bloom. Weedmaster or Milestone. Apply before bloom. Crossbow and Banvel or Vanquish also listed as Crossbow and Banvel or Vanquish also listed as good to excellent on smartweed(s).good to excellent on smartweed(s).

Smutgrass:Smutgrass: (Perennial)(Perennial) – Treatment Options: Velpar in Bermuda fields, Treatment Options: Velpar in Bermuda fields,

apply in April to July time frame. Will injure apply in April to July time frame. Will injure Bermuda, but it will out grow it.Bermuda, but it will out grow it.

Thistles: Bull; Field; Musk; YellowThistles: Bull; Field; Musk; Yellow – Treatment Options: Biennial that produces rosette plants in Treatment Options: Biennial that produces rosette plants in

year l and flowers and seeds in year 2. The key to thistle year l and flowers and seeds in year 2. The key to thistle control is to treat in the rosette stage with 2,4-D, control is to treat in the rosette stage with 2,4-D, Weedmaster, Grazon P+D, Surmount, Milestone, or Weedmaster, Grazon P+D, Surmount, Milestone, or Cimarron Max. Treat in November through March time Cimarron Max. Treat in November through March time frame at proper growth stage. Crossbow and Redeem are frame at proper growth stage. Crossbow and Redeem are also listed as excellent on thistles also listed as excellent on thistles

Wild Garlic; Wild Onion: Wild Garlic; Wild Onion: (Cool Season Perennial)(Cool Season Perennial)– Treatment Options: Treat in Treatment Options: Treat in

November to March time November to March time frame with 2,4-D ester, frame with 2,4-D ester, Weedmaster or Cimarron.Weedmaster or Cimarron.

Wild Mustard: (Winter Annual) Wild Mustard: (Winter Annual) – Treatment Options: Treat when plants in rosette Treatment Options: Treat when plants in rosette

leaf stage. Plants that are flowering are more leaf stage. Plants that are flowering are more difficult to control. Control suggestions include difficult to control. Control suggestions include 2,4-D, Weedmaster, Grazon P+D or Cimarron. 2,4-D, Weedmaster, Grazon P+D or Cimarron.

SummarySummary

Maintain soil pH and soil fertilityMaintain soil pH and soil fertility

Understand the positive attributes of weedsUnderstand the positive attributes of weeds– Dilute toxins in tall fescueDilute toxins in tall fescue– Extend grazing seasonsExtend grazing seasons– Improve forage qualityImprove forage quality

Correctly identify undesirable weeds and apply Correctly identify undesirable weeds and apply labeled herbicides accuratelylabeled herbicides accurately

If there is any uncertainty......ask If there is any uncertainty......ask BEFOREBEFORE you you applyapply

INSECT MANAGEMENT IN INSECT MANAGEMENT IN PASTURES AND PASTURES AND

FORAGESFORAGES

DR. WILL HUDSONDR. WILL HUDSON

University of GeorgiaUniversity of Georgia

ArmywormsArmyworms

FALL ARMYWORMSFALL ARMYWORMS

ADULTS - MOTHADULTS - MOTHEGGS LAID IN EGGS LAID IN MASSMASSGENERATION - 28 GENERATION - 28 DAYSDAYSOVERWINTER IN OVERWINTER IN FLORIDAFLORIDAWORSE IN DRY WORSE IN DRY SUMMERSSUMMERS

ARMYWORMSARMYWORMS

SYMPTOMS: GRASS SYMPTOMS: GRASS BLADES EATENBLADES EATEN

THRESHOLD: 2-5 THRESHOLD: 2-5 LARVAE PER SQ. FT.LARVAE PER SQ. FT.

TREATMENT: TREATMENT: LANNATE OR SEVIN, LANNATE OR SEVIN, OR DIMILINOR DIMILIN

WHITE GRUBSWHITE GRUBSADULTS ARE ADULTS ARE BEETLESBEETLES

ONE GENERATION ONE GENERATION PER YEAR (MOST)PER YEAR (MOST)

MORE SEVERE MORE SEVERE WHEN USING WHEN USING CHICKEN LITTERCHICKEN LITTER

PREFER NON-PREFER NON-ENDOPHYTE ENDOPHYTE FESCUESFESCUES

WHITE GRUB CONTROLWHITE GRUB CONTROL

IDENTIFY SPECIESIDENTIFY SPECIES

SEVIN FOR GREEN SEVIN FOR GREEN JUNE BEETLEJUNE BEETLE

OTHERS: OTHERS: COMPLETE COMPLETE RENOVATION or RENOVATION or

REPLANTINGREPLANTING

CHINCHBUGCHINCHBUG

SUCK PLANT SUCK PLANT JUICESJUICES

CAUSE PLANTS TO CAUSE PLANTS TO BE STUNTEDBE STUNTED

CAUSE YELLOWING CAUSE YELLOWING AND DEATHAND DEATH

DIFFICULT TO DIFFICULT TO CONTROLCONTROL

CHINCHBUG CHINCHBUG

DIFFICULT TO DIFFICULT TO CONTROL ONCE CONTROL ONCE ESTABLISHEDESTABLISHED

MORE PROBLEMS MORE PROBLEMS IN NO-TILLIN NO-TILL

LORSBAN AT LORSBAN AT PLANTINGPLANTING

LORSBAN LIQUID - LORSBAN LIQUID - POSTPOST

White-fringed BeetleWhite-fringed Beetle

Adults feed on foliage Adults feed on foliage and stemsand stems

Active most of the Active most of the summer, and lay summer, and lay hundreds of eggshundreds of eggs

Larvae feed Larvae feed undergroundunderground

Alfalfa is a favorite Alfalfa is a favorite foodfood

SPITTLEBUGSPITTLEBUG

SUCKS PLANT SUCKS PLANT JUICESJUICES

INJECTS TOXININJECTS TOXIN

NYMPHS ARE NYMPHS ARE LOCATED IN LOCATED IN SPITTLE MASSSPITTLE MASS

MULTIPLE MULTIPLE GENERATIONSGENERATIONS

SPITTLEBUGSPITTLEBUG

BOTH ADULTS AND BOTH ADULTS AND NYMPHS CAUSE NYMPHS CAUSE INJURYINJURY

INSECTICIDE INSECTICIDE TREATMENTS ARE TREATMENTS ARE FAIR AT BESTFAIR AT BEST

BURNING OLD BURNING OLD PLANT RESIDUE PLANT RESIDUE MAY REDUCE MAY REDUCE POPULATIONPOPULATION

Mole CricketsMole Crickets

Lower coastal plain Lower coastal plain onlyonly

One native speciesOne native species

Pest species are Pest species are introduced from South introduced from South AmericaAmerica

Steinernema scapterisciSteinernema scapterisci

Attack only introduced Attack only introduced mole cricketsmole crickets

Introduced into Introduced into Florida in 1985Florida in 1985

Georgia introduction Georgia introduction beginning in 1990beginning in 1990

Larra bicolorLarra bicolor

Introduced into Introduced into Florida in 1982Florida in 1982

more cold-hardy more cold-hardy strain in late ‘80sstrain in late ‘80s

Introduced into Introduced into Georgia (Tift Co.) in Georgia (Tift Co.) in 20002000

FIRE ANTSFIRE ANTS

NUISANCE PESTNUISANCE PESTTREATMENTS MAY TREATMENTS MAY INCREASE INCREASE NUMBER OF NUMBER OF MOUNDSMOUNDSABOUT 6 MONTHS ABOUT 6 MONTHS FROM MATING FROM MATING SWARM TO SWARM TO MOUND-BUILDING MOUND-BUILDING COLONYCOLONY

Fire ants swarmingFire ants swarming

FIRE ANTFIRE ANTCONTROL OPTIONSCONTROL OPTIONS

BAITSBAITS– AMDROAMDRO– AWARDAWARD– EXTINGUISHEXTINGUISH

MOUND TREATMENTSMOUND TREATMENTS– SEVINSEVIN