Do you have Smutgrass invading your pasture?

Smutgrass is an invasive grass that comes from Asia. It ranks as the second most problematic weed in perennial pastures in Florida. Mature smutgrass plants are unpalatable to livestock, but some grazing of mature smutgrass does occur. Seed production occurs throughout the growing season, and new seedheads are produced shortly after mowing. The seeds, which are red to orange in color, remain attached to seedheads for some time after maturing and are spread by adhering to livestock and machinery or by movement via water and wind.

Herbicides for control.

There are two herbicides labeled for control of smutgrass in pastures, Glyphosate (Roundup) and Hexazinone (Velpar, Tide Hexazinone, Velossa), all mixed in water and sprayed on the pasture. Another formulation of Hexazinone (Pronone Power Pellets) is now labeled for spot treatment; it is a tablet that can be used as a spot application in fields with less than 25% smutgrass. This pellet is placed in the center of the smutgrass tussock; only a light dew is required to activate the Hexazinone. Successful control has been shown with as little as ¼ of a tablet per tussock.

Many times, Velpar needs better control.  Velpar required rainfall of 1/2-inch minimum to 2-inch max within two weeks of application. For spot application of Velpar, add 4.73 ml Velpar per gallon of water; apply six oz of this mixture per tussock.  This amount of water in spot applications will reduce control failures due to a lack of water activation.

4711_msds.pdf (forestry-suppliers.com)

PRONONE® POWER PELLET (forestry-suppliers.com)

Further Reading:

Smutgrass Control in Perennial Grass Pastures – http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/aa261

Weed Management in Pastures and Rangeland – http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/wg006

Forage Planting and Establishment Methods on Prepared Seedbed – http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ag107

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