Ok - I have read until I am more confused than ever about what to do... I have some, very little, johnson grass in a few patches on 3 acres that if bailed would probably make one 70 lb bale. I have read everything from one mouthful of it can contain enough cyanide after a frost to kill a 1000lb cow to the other side of those who pay no attention to it. I have 2 cows coming in a week so what options do I have ? I am a newbie at all this so have fun with me and I appreciate any and all input......
Johnson Grass -
- Thread starter wil267
- Start date
From the first frost to the first freeze I keep cattle off of it. A neighbor turned some in a bean field that had been combined. There was a little around one light pole. Killed 12. Many here will tell you it's ok. He filled the dead wagon.
James T
Well-known member
Since you have so little of it, just kill it off and grow something that is better for the area you live in. Winter is just about upon us so why bother? Get rid of it and do some research on what does well in your area without the 'issues' and then plan accordingly for the Spring.
cross_7
Well-known member
Since we are at the time where frost is imminent and a good freeze could be a month or more away what choices do I have other than eliminating access period until after a hard freeze ? I have 10 days from today before the cows arrive and ignorantly i have set up water, protein tub, minerals, hay ring, shelter in the same area the Johnson grass is located. Can i disc it in, cut down what i cant disc, spray herbicide if there is something safe enough to spray and let them lose -...... vinegar and soap maybe .........
I can't find the article now, but it said that you should wait 2 weeks after a light frost, and it said you only have to wait 4 days after a killing frost to let it dissipate. I have some cattle rotating thru some paddocks with some JG scattered thru it. Its been over 2 weeks here since a frost....so far so good. If you have put some nitrogen on your fields this fall then you should watch out for nitrate poisoning in your JG.
cross_7
Well-known member
Banjo":3soswguy said:
Prussic Acid Poisoning
http://stephenville.tamu.edu/forages/fo ... cacid.html
Prevention: If plants have been injured defer grazing until they are recovered from injury. After a hard freeze, or severe drought, avoid grazing for approximately 1 week. After a rain or irrigation on drought stressed fields wait at least 2 weeks after plants begin to grow before grazing.
Very much a concern lately after some decent rains after a prolonged dry period. After our recent rainfall windfall, I waited about 16 days after green-up to turn in on some haygrazer. Also made sure it didn't show signs of heat stress before I turned in. Did not have any sign of problems from either nitrates or prussic acid. But it definitely can cause some problems if things are wrong.
You can cut forages that show prussic acid present because it will dissipate as it cures. Need to let it cure for 5-7 days. Nitrates do not dissipate. All you can do their is dilute.
You can have forages tested for nitrates and prussic acid.
