Managing foxtail in pastures involves a dual approach: preventing its germination with pre-emergent herbicides and controlling existing plants through post-emergent herbicides, strategic cultural practices, and mindful grazing management.
Foxtail, an aggressive annual weed, can significantly reduce the productivity and quality of pastures, competing with desirable forage grasses for nutrients, water, and sunlight. Effective control requires understanding its life cycle and applying appropriate strategies at the right time.
Understanding Foxtail Control Strategies
Controlling foxtail effectively in pastures involves a combination of chemical and non-chemical methods tailored to the specific growth stage of the weed.
1. Pre-Emergent Herbicide Application
One highly effective strategy to manage foxtail in pastures is through the use of pre-emergent herbicides. These herbicides are designed to prevent weed seeds from germinating and establishing themselves.
- Mechanism of Action: Products containing active ingredients such as pendimethalin are excellent tools for controlling annual weeds like foxtail. They create a chemical barrier in the soil that inhibits seedling growth shortly after germination, effectively stopping the weed before it even emerges.
- Timing is Crucial: For pre-emergent herbicides to be effective, they must be applied before the foxtail seeds sprout. This typically means application in late winter or early spring, prior to the expected germination period of foxtail when soil temperatures rise.
- Benefits: This proactive approach can significantly reduce the overall foxtail population in a pasture, minimizing competition for desirable forages throughout the growing season.
2. Post-Emergent Herbicide Application
For foxtail that has already emerged and established itself in the pasture, post-emergent herbicides are necessary. The challenge in pastures is to select herbicides that kill the foxtail (a grass weed) without harming the desirable forage grasses.
- Selective Herbicides: Some selective herbicides can target grassy weeds while leaving broadleaf forages unharmed. However, using grass-specific herbicides in grass-dominated pastures requires careful consideration to avoid damage to desirable pasture grasses. Always consult product labels for specific pasture applications and forage tolerance.
- Application Timing: Post-emergent herbicides are generally most effective when foxtail is young and actively growing, before it sets seed. Once foxtail has matured and developed seed heads, it becomes much more difficult to control chemically.
3. Cultural and Mechanical Control Methods
Non-chemical approaches play a vital role in an integrated weed management plan for pastures.
- Mowing:
- Strategic Mowing: Mowing pastures frequently before foxtail produces viable seeds can significantly reduce future infestations. Mowing to a height of 3-4 inches can also help desirable forage grasses outcompete foxtail.
- Timing: Mowing should ideally occur before foxtail plants mature and develop seed heads, which usually happens in mid to late summer.
- Improving Pasture Health:
- Fertilization and Liming: Maintaining optimal soil fertility and pH levels promotes the vigorous growth of desirable forage grasses. Healthy, dense pasture stands are naturally more competitive against weeds like foxtail.
- Proper Grazing Management: Avoid overgrazing, which weakens desirable pasture plants and creates bare spots where weeds can easily establish. Implement rotational grazing to allow for pasture recovery.
- Tillage (for renovation): In severely infested areas where pasture renovation is planned, tillage can bury foxtail seeds and expose them to unfavorable conditions, or prepare a seedbed for new forage establishment after herbicide application.
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) for Foxtail
The most effective approach to foxtail control in pastures is an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategy that combines multiple methods.
| Control Method | Description | Timing/Application | Key Benefit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-Emergent Herbicides | Prevent foxtail seeds from germinating. (e.g., pendimethalin-based products) | Late winter/early spring, before germination | Prevents initial weed emergence |
| Post-Emergent Herbicides | Kill actively growing foxtail plants. | When foxtail is young and actively growing | Controls existing infestations |
| Strategic Mowing | Cuts back foxtail plants before they set seed. | Before seed head formation (mid-summer) | Reduces seed bank for future years |
| Improved Pasture Health | Proper fertilization, liming, and grazing management. | Ongoing, year-round | Enhances forage competition against weeds |
By combining these strategies, pasture managers can effectively reduce foxtail populations, improve forage quality, and maintain healthier pastures. Always read and follow herbicide label instructions carefully, as product recommendations and restrictions can vary based on forage type and local regulations. For more detailed information, consult your local agricultural extension office.
