Which herbisides to use

[CAB]

Which herbicides do you think are the best both from an economical side and from the weed killing side of things? When do you apply your chemicals, spring verses fall? With the prices of everthing it looks like we are going to have to get as much out of each acre as we possibly can and I guess that means better/more management IMO.

 

[Shorthorns4us]

Due to the continuing rising costs of everything-- we try to use as little as possible. 
Corn always gets 2 applications-- that cocktail is mixed and applied by our local coop-- my husband manages that- so right now I do not know what he uses in that off the top of my head
Beans-- we watch those closely and try to only have to go across once with Round-Up-- this year at our coop Round Up was the same price as the "generic"- so we went ahead and bought the "real' stuff.
We did end up having to do 2 applications.
Pasture-- We have gotten the pastures cleaned up really well over the last several years-- so we have been able to only have to go across once with 2-4-d and Tordon for the broadleafs and thistles at a pretty light rate--we usually do this after planting beans.
That is about it. 
EF

 

[chambero]

A great resource is your local NRCS office.

We put a lot of money into weed control, and frankly, that investment is what's going to see us through this winter without having to sell off our cows.  We still have standing forage despite the terrible drought we're in.  Pasture spraying pays when times are bad, not when they are good.  The work we did the past three years is paying for itself many times over.

I'm a big believer in a product called GrazonNext.  It's a strong 2,4-D mixture with another active ingredient that gives you a much longer residual effect than straight 2,4-D.  We use that in conjuction with a wetting agent.  We spary in late spring/early summer.  Chemical costs come out to just under $10/acre putting it out ourselves.

We also use Remedy for mesquite control, but that isn't a problem in your area.

 

[CAB]

The district Dow rep recommended that I use Forefront. Said that the chemistry was a lot better than Grazon/ Grazon Extra, but it also costs almost 3 times more. Gunslinger has been suggested also. I was thinking of spraying this fall. Can usually get by with less product when the plants are taking food down B4 winter. Dow rep wanted me to wait until late spring early summer B/C I have ragweed pretty thick, annual late germination.

 

[Aussie]

It's a strong 2,4-D mixture with another active ingredient that gives you a much longer residual effect than straight 2,4-D.  

2,4-D is banned here for its residual effect which may build up in animal fat. We spray in late Fall with MCPA 600 ml/ha for flat weeds and Fenitrothion 1100ml/ha for Corby grubs a pasture eating grub that in our area can decimate pasture. MCPA is a lot softer and cheaper that Grazon and if applied early will do the same job on pasture weeds. Won't kill woody weeds like Grazon will.

 

[shortdawg]

Grazon with piclaram (sp?) is for permanent pastures ! If you ever plan to use the pasture for cropland use only 2-4 D Amine.

 

[oversee]

We have to use Transline to kill off the star thistle that has invaded a lot of pastureland in California. It is very expensive but necessary. We apply it in the fall. I think you have to consider what weeds are prevalent in your area and use whatever is most effective on those. As far as when, it depends on the weed's growing cycle. I have also had success with Forefront on other weeds. Our local farm supply is pretty good at recommending what works the best in our area.

 

[ferkj]

Hungry goats  (lol) (lol)

 

[nkotb]

If you would let us know what weeds you are going after that would go a long way in being able to help you figure out which herbicides to use.  It would also be helpful to know what you have that you are not trying to kill as some chemistries are a little easier on woody species than others.