Controlling barley grass

2 posts
Sat, 09/15/2012 - 08:49 #1

Member for

12 years 3 months
Nathan74
Last seen: 03/08/2018 - 21:05
Joined: 09/15/2012 - 08:42

Controlling barley grass

Hi all,

How do I stop or control barley grass, I am on clay soil?

Any assistance would be appreciated.

Cheers,

Nathan

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Mon, 09/24/2012 - 18:13 #2
charlie
Last seen: 12/26/2018 - 09:21
Joined: 05/31/2011 - 09:44

Hi Nathan,

Welcome to Farmstyle and thanks for the question.

Barley grass is an annual that establishes in the autumn, grows through the winter, set seed and dies in the spring and early summer. It produces a small amount of good quality feed in the winter but quickly becomes unpalatable as it runs to head and seed.

The seeds of barley grass are the biggest problem with livestock, particularly sheep and lambs. They can contaminate the wool, pierce and damage the skin causing injury also become logged in the eyes causing secondary infections like pink eye.

In a broadleaf pasture like lucerne barley grass can be easily controlled with a number of grass selective herbicides. These are best used early to mid winter when the plants are small, active and have the maximum amount of leaf area. Later into the season barley grass can be controlled with a contact herbicide like Spray seed or Paraquat. These herbicides burn the pasture off making the barley grass drop its seeds. Another option is a light rate of Roundup, this will kill the barley grass and other annual grasses whilst only slowing the growth of perennial species.

The best and most sustainable control option is to increase plant competition. Weeds, particularly annual weeds like barley grass only establish where there is sufficient bare ground and space for them to do so. Plant competition can be increased by strategic grazing and rest periods, by soil testing and correcting nutrient deficiencies or by sowing a perennial pasture.

I hope this information has been of assistance. If any other members have had success in controlling barley grass I'm sure Nathan would love to hear from you. 

Charlie

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