Weather’s Impact on Pasture Weeds: What to Expect in 2014

What weeds can you expect in pastures in 2014? The same ones that occurred in previous years will likely grow and thrive this year as well.
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Poison Hemlock
Poison Hemlock | Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Pasture managers are generally concerned about the amount of forage produced in their pastures and whether adequate rainfall will occur to support forage crops.

Since 2007, rainfall amounts varied considerably in Kentucky. In 2007, 2008, 2010, and 2012 rainfall was below normal during the peak forage production months of April through September. Forage and hay production was lower during these years, and the impact on weeds was dramatic. The drought impact was severe enough in some regions that few weeds grew or produced their normal seed numbers. However, some weedy species such as common ragweed did produce near normal seed numbers, and we noticed greater problems with this weed in the years since then. Johnsongrass is another species that has thrived over the past few years, and I believe it was the result of the very hot, dry years of 2007 and 2008 when this species also produced near normal seed production. These dry years resulted in stand losses, in some cases very severe losses, and some pastures that were not renovated continue to decline in quality.

However, rainfall in 2013 was several inches above normal throughout most of Kentucky, and many pastures contained high populations of several weeds. Common ragweed and johnsongrass were among the most troublesome. With the wet 2013 growing season and the cold temperatures in January and early February 2014, many questions are being asked about what weeds might appear this year.

Any discussion about weed emergence must begin with an understanding of these pasture plants we call “weeds.” Whether native or non-native, these plants grow only where they are supposed to grow—in an ecological niche that allows them to germinate, emerge, grow, and reproduce before a human activity prevents seed production. Also, adaptive characteristics of weeds generally will include the following: long-lived seeds; seeds that might mature after plants are uprooted or mowed; those weeds that mature in synchrony with pasture management will produce seeds or vegetative organs (i.e., seed production before mowing); and some weeds have a disagreeable odor or taste and are not eaten by animals. It is important to remember that pasture grass greatly influences the number of weeds that emerge in that pasture. A thick, rapidly growing stand of grasses can suppress almost all weed emergence and growth; conversely, poor grass stands allow weeds to germinate and thrive

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