Farmers should be scouting their pastures now for leafy spurge and other noxious weeds, advises the Leafy Spurge Stakeholders Group in Manitoba.
Leafy spurge is a noxious weed native to Europe that has spread quickly across the Prairies. The plant now infests more than 340,000 acres in Manitoba.
Leafy spurge reduces grazing capacity on pastures. The resulting loss in livestock production costs Manitoba producers millions of dollars each year, according to the stakeholders group.
The group offers these tips for dealing with leafy spurge in pastures:
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- If small patches are present, spray them to prevent further spread. Patches can double in size every five years if left uncontrolled.
- Use one litre of 2,4-D with 1Ú3 litre of Banvel II. This will cost about $15 per acre at these rates. A combination of these two herbicides is more effective than using either by itself.
- Spray during the middle to third week of June. Remember to go at least five metres around the edge of the patch. Respray in late August to get better control.
- Mowing is an effective method of preventing seed set. Mow when the majority of plants are flowering, probably early- to mid-June, and then repeat at least twice more when the plants are flowering again.
- A combination of spraying and mowing may be used to prevent leafy spurge from spreading or going to seed.
For more information, producers can contact their local agricultural representative, agronomist or weed supervisor.
