Johnson grass in hay

[kenny thomas]

Cryder does the trick (1 oz. per acre)…it is a restricted use chemical in Texas so a private applicator's license is required here. Note: Cryder is the same as what used to be called Outrider. Works for me…I use it on my hayfields. The most effective JG control is grazing…as others have said here.

Do you use it as a spray?

 

[chaded]

It’s kind of like the tetanus and banding bulls thing, never heard of it until I read it on the internet.

 

[kenny thomas]

It's kind of like the tetanus and banding bulls thing, never heard of it until I read it on the internet.

The things we learn on CT.

 

[gman4691]

Do you use it as a spray?

Yes…it is granular…I put it in the tank with Grazon P+D…the Grazon kills the broadleaf weeds & the Cryder gets the Johnson Grass. This is the mix I generally use May - early June. I mix a 200 gallon tank and can cover 5-6 acres with one tank so I usually put in 5 oz. of Cryder…has worked well for me over the past 3 years or so. Sometimes I spot treat after the first cutting if I start seeing stalks of Johnson Grass start showing up but it usually isn't much…just a few stalks here and there. And I always try to use a surfactant in the mix.

Panoramic 2SL will also kill Johnson Grass and others like crabgrass. The only thing there is in the timing of the application. You have to wait until complete green up of the bermudagrass and shouldn’t use it in the hot, dry summer. And you have to wait at least 37 days after application to cut for hay. So the timing can be tricky.

 

[kenny thomas]

Yes…it is granular…I put it in the tank with Grazon P+D…the Grazon kills the broadleaf weeds & the Cryder gets the Johnson Grass. This is the mix I generally use May - early June. I mix a 200 gallon tank and can cover 5-6 acres with one tank so I usually put in 5 oz. of Cryder…has worked well for me over the past 3 years or so. Sometimes I spot treat after the first cutting if I start seeing stalks of Johnson Grass start showing up but it usually isn't much…just a few stalks here and there. And I always try to use a surfactant in the mix.

Good info. I need to check and be sure it won't kill my fescue. I can spray after my first cutting.

 

[gman4691]

Good info. I need to check and be sure it won't kill my fescue. I can spray after my first cutting.

It can cause a temporary set back on the fescue…if it is an established stand, it should recover.

 

[jamiesf]

Pastora herbicide kill Johnson grass.

 

[Brute 23]

Pastora herbicide kill Johnson grass.

That is right. I had forgot that. Those real pretty, clean hay fields are usually getting Pastora annually.

 

[504RP]

It's kind of like the tetanus and banding bulls thing, never heard of it until I read it on the internet.

So much for learning how to farm by being a 5th generation farmer born and raised doing it. Now you can avoid having to learn how to do all that was passed down and first hand experience in 5 minutes of surfing the internet even if you do end up killing a few head because you got a little bad advice ever now and then. Lol !!!!

 

[Mark Reynolds]

Yes I'm fine with it being there. Typically we don't have any in the pastures that are grazed because they keep it ate down. This year has been wet up until the last 2 weeks when the water faucet just seemed to shut off all at once.
I've read a lot of information about it and a lot of it seems to be conflicting.
I was just asking about the specifics of how soon the hay could be fed?

You can have two identical variety Johnson grass plants on the same soil and one will be problematic and the other is fine. I'll explain. It's not the plant itself. Its the level of stress the plant has been under. Prussic acid accumulates to toxic and even fatal levels for livestock depending on how much accumulation is taking place within the plant based on stress levels for the plant, and also a tolerance by the animal to a lesser degree of this toxin. Drought is the stressor during the summer resulting in an accumulation (would be the only possible concern right now) and a PARTIAL killing frost in the fall/winter. We haven't been under drought conditions here this summer (very much UNlike last year) so I don't have any concern for this area, although it has been hot. Purisic acid levels can be tested for if you have a real concern. Take note that this is the same toxin found in wilting black cherry leaves.

Note that excessive fertilization can elevate prussic acid levels to dangerous levels as well. Also note that levels will drop up to 75% in cured hay.

 

[Mark Reynolds]

So much for learning how to farm by being a 5th generation farmer born and raised doing it. Now you can avoid having to learn how to do all that was passed down and first hand experience in 5 minutes of surfing the internet even if you do end up killing a few head because you got a little bad advice ever now and then. Lol !!!!

Doing the wrong thing is probably the fastest way to learn how to do the right thing.

 

[504RP]

I am the type of person that don’t have to be hit in the head with a sledgehammer to be convinced it hurts. Johnson grass and its risk has been something that has been well known to happen for as long as I can remember. And there are so many conditions that can cause it a to become toxic It’s not worth the risk to me. For some reason even when Johnson grass is small and lush green like that picture posted he posted could be toxic. For me it’s a gamble that I am not going to take. I can understand being in the position of needing the grass during times like this. But it’s not worth that risk to me.

 

[Mark Reynolds]

I am the type of person that don't have to be hit in the head with a sledgehammer to be convinced it hurts. Johnson grass and its risk has been something that has been well known to happen for as long as I can remember. And there are so many conditions that can cause it a to become toxic It's not worth the risk to me. For some reason even when Johnson grass is small and lush green like that picture posted he posted could be toxic. For me it's a gamble that I am not going to take. I can understand being in the position of needing the grass during times like this. But it's not worth that risk to me.

Point well taken. If there are other options that don't require a risk assessment or calculation, that is how I would proceed. To your point about Johnson grass being small, lush and green....if you have given it a strong shot of fertilizer, you might have created a monster out of something that is good. A parallel to this could be grass tetany in terms of fast growth. The growth of the plant is literally too fast which stresses the plant and can cause bad things to happen when the intent is to produce an excessive amount of good. Think about 'growing pains' in people and animals. Its a real thing that plants can have as well.

 

[kenny thomas]

In most of my area hayfields are fertilized in March or early April. Our Johnson grass normally doesn't show up until after the first cutting of hay has been done. June or very early July is when it starts. If nitrogen lasts 90 days from the time its spread it will be pretty much gone by the time Johnson grass starts growing. By now its long gone.
Im spreading Urea for winter stockpile in the next 10 days. But the Johnson grass will have been eaten by the cows by then so no issue again. If a little of it comes back before the frost it will be dried up before cows see it again between December 20th and March 1st.

 

[gman4691]

Doing the wrong thing is probably the fastest way to learn how to do the right thing.

Most of my progress has come through failures rather than successes…lol

 

[salebarn junkie]

Here in my part of the missouri ozarks weve been under drought conditions for over 60 days. Iam turning cattle out into hayfields with johnson grass, were supposed to get are first rain tomorrow how long is it recommended to hold cattle off these fields. I do think my cattle do have some tolerance to jg they eat it about 9 or 10 months of the year wither in the pasture or in there hay. Ive never had a problem but always worry.

 

[chaded]

So much for learning how to farm by being a 5th generation farmer born and raised doing it. Now you can avoid having to learn how to do all that was passed down and first hand experience in 5 minutes of surfing the internet even if you do end up killing a few head because you got a little bad advice ever now and then. Lol !!!!

I think if someone is scared of johnsgrass then avoiding it is definitely the right thing to do. Even if it is just for peace of mind.