Barley Grass

4 posts
Thu, 12/06/2012 - 19:09 #1

Member for

11 years 4 months
Gay
Last seen: 03/08/2018 - 21:05
Joined: 12/06/2012 - 18:37

Barley Grass

Hi, I too have a major barley grass in pasture, problem but no funds to combat it by reseeding, fertiliser & soil analysis as we're now on the pension.

3 yrs ago we had an early 'break', good growth, sprayed with Glycosphate, great kill followed by more rain/warmth & regrowth. The seeder arrived, I asked him about all the greenery (b. grass of course!) but he said no need to respray, it'd be fine. We only have 12 acs, sowed 8 of them & you can guess the rest of the story. We now have about 80% of the damned stuff so, as you can imagine, the land is rather unproductive.

Last year I tried the low rates of G/phate with poor results as the stuff heads here from about mid Nov thru' to Feb.

I've read reasonable results were obtained in trials by spraying the young plants on emergence after the Autumn break but timing needs to be rather precise in order to kill the majority of b. grass seedlings whilst the 'friendly' species are still in the ground, is this a viable option in your opinion? I guess that would only get the 1st wave of seedlings anyway & couldn't respay as the perennials would be emerging by then Frown.

We have 2 horses & 4 in calf beef cows in terms of stock, all at risk to varying degrees from the seeds. Any advice will be very much appreciated, even something radical that you wouldn't normally suggest Wink. Cheers & thanks in advance for your time.

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Thu, 12/06/2012 - 20:12 #2
Michael YP
Last seen: 03/08/2018 - 21:05
Joined: 12/06/2012 - 19:40

Hi,

As you most probably know the main aim is to control grasses before it sets seed. A few iffs.

If the seeds are still forming, and are still soft & milky when squashed there is still time to control the barley grass.

If the grass is around or over 12 inches high & around nine inches higher than the preferred pasture plants you want to keep, it could be  effectively controlled at low cost by using a weed wiper without damaging the preferred pasture.

Weedwipers apply very low rates of chemical directly to the target weed, as long as it is around nine inches higher than any desired species and obstacles. The best chemicals to use with weed wipers are those that are translocated such as glyphosate.

A common concentration used is one part glyphosate to four parts water.

Depending on the weed density & amount of material wiped, one litre of mixed chemical solution will usually wipe well over two acres.

Please reply if you need more information on weedwipers. If you have a small tank & 12 volt pump or pump up sprayer you can usually put a five foot unit together for less than $300

Best Wishes Michael

 

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Sat, 12/08/2012 - 10:09 #3
Gay
Last seen: 03/08/2018 - 21:05
Joined: 12/06/2012 - 18:37

Unfortunately it's at all heights & stages of growth from 6" high & dropped seed to a foot high , still green which is why it's so damned hard to target & why I wondered about the autumn break strategy.

We've a 3/4/ acre paddock in which the cattle have flatly refused to clean up, if I mowed it whilst much of it drops sedds, will it render them non productive? I really am at my wits end with the stuff Frown. I can hire a boom spray which I use for the broadleaves but can't see any sense presently due to the aforementioned scenario Smile. Thanks for such a speedy reply, off to bed now!!

ETA: Because I can't directly answer Michaels' reply on this site!!

Very many thanks for being so helpful Michael, you've covered every aspect as far as I can see so I guess it's over to me now, armed with all your ammo Undecided. Now it's up to Monsanto or ???? to come up with a barley grass specific spray which now doubt they'll succeed with.......................one day Laughing. Would be so much easier to crop the place for a couple of years but unfortunately out of the question!!!! Enjoy your weekend Smile

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Thu, 12/06/2012 - 21:30 #4
Michael YP
Last seen: 03/08/2018 - 21:05
Joined: 12/06/2012 - 19:40

As you have found once the barley grass plant numbers build up it is extremely difficult to get numbers down. You need to use every strategy you can.

The autumn strategy will certainly help in reducing numbers, however gains will be reduced by any seedset at this time of the year.

Mowing at early head formation, when the seeds are milky, will reduce the number of viable seeds.

Dragging light mesh in mid summer, will get seeds on the ground & increase early germination, increasing the effectiveness of autumn spraying.

Once barley grass approaches maturity stock will avoid it. Slashing and concentrated grazing before maturity will significantly reduce seed set. Unfortunately research shows, if around ten percent of the initial plant population set viable seed, the plant numbers will continue to build. Which is why it is essential to kill weeds at every opportunity utilising a range of integrated techniques. A single technique will not get the job done. I think the stat is, close to 97 % control is needed for five consecutive years to drive plant numbers back down to a small population. 

My apologies. Not much of a cheer up am I?  Effective Barley & Brome grass control is an increasing problem facing many farmers.

 

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