Spraying questions

[Slim140]

I have some questions about spraying fields. I keep up a farm for a guy who doesn't live around here, it's a total of 44 acres with about 25 acres open. My wife and I deer hunt it. I need to spray the 25 acres and kill some small trees and a lot of briars. Some of the briars get as big as your fingers. I'm tired of tracking deer through briars and tired of getting flat tires because of the few thorn bushes over there. So, will 2-4-D kill all that? I read somewhere to spray it 15 gallons to the acre, does that sound about right? Any one with any spraying knowledge please fill me in because I am new to this trying to kill certain things, I've always just sprayed round up and killed everything but I would like to keep the grass that's there alive so it won't wash etc.

[Don McCombs]

If it were me, I would bush hog the 25 acres ASAP. When the new vegetation has emerged, apply a broadleaf herbicide according to the label instructions. Your local extension office can give you recommendations as to brand and formulation. TSC, Agway and Southern States are good sources for generic branded herbicides.

[Slim140]

Don, I bush hogged the whole place around Christmas getting prepared for the spray this spring. How tall does it need to be for the best affect? I know it needs to be sprayed when it starts to grow and before it gets to big but what is the best time/height?

[Don McCombs]

I'd say probably six inches to a foot. It will grow rapidly, so be prepared.
It may take more than one application.

[Bill Hudson]

Shane,

Contact your County Ag Extension agent in Greensboro. Here is her contact info:
https://guilford.ces.ncsu.edu/profile/anna-beth-stewart/

The answer to your question involves answering a few other questions that a knowledgeable local person will have. Check with her and get good information for your local situation.

Bill

[Eugene]

I spot spray, 15 gallon 12 volt sprayer, with generic Roundup in addition to mowing where I can get the tractor. I walk the woods with a 2 gallon hand held sprayer. The general idea is to first kill the weeds/brush/trees down to the roots. Sometimes it takes several applications to fully kill the weed.

Bill's suggestion is excellent. You will need to know what type of weeds you are eliminating.

Farm life and better half forum will have several discussions on the topic.

Edit. I let the neighbor graze his cattle on the acreage. Neighbor rotates the cattle between pastures, the pasture grass gets eaten down 2 or 3 times a year. What the cattle won't eat get's spot sprayed. Saves on a mowing one or two times a year.

I use several techniques for "weed" elimination, depends on what I want to accomplish and future plans for the area in question.

Another edit. I have some herbicide pellets that with rain will soak into the "weeds" root system, killing the plant. Works great, what could be a problem is that it also kills the grass surrounding the weed.

[Clownfish]

It looks like you have a rather large project to get rid of 25 acres of briars. There are probably many different types of "Briars" but the blackberry briars that I have are not killed using Roundup. Even using it at 2x the recommended rate doesn't help. I have to use some type of brush killer for woody plants and it may take more than one application.

[Super A]

Don, I bush hogged the whole place around Christmas getting prepared for the spray this spring. How tall does it need to be for the best affect? I know it needs to be sprayed when it starts to grow and before it gets to big but what is the best time/height?

As mentioned I would talk to your local cooperative extension about some specific recommendations. As a general rule, young, tender, and actively growing is the best time to spray weeds. I don't think I'd let them get over 6" high but that can depend on what you're using. Again, talk to your extension agent.

Al

[Slim140]

I sent an email and am awaiting a response to the agent. Thanks to everyone for your responses, anything else feel free to add it.

[Eugene]

It would be worth while stopping by the US Dept. of Ag. and State Conservation Dept., usually in same building, and see what they suggest.

[Eugene]

Another thought. Develop a long range plan, multi-year plan, for reducing "weeds" on the property.

Example. I have a thistle and multi-rose problem. Thistle seeds remain domant in the soil for 20 years, disturb the soil and new thistles. Multi-flora rose, birds eat the bright red seeds and poop on the acreage. I have to work on these two weeds, times 2 or 3 times a year.

I also have problems with honey locust and eastern red cedar. Minor problems compared to thistles and multi-floral rose. These I can take care of by mowing when small and/or spot spraying.

[outdoors4evr]

2-4-D is a broadleaf herbicide and will only work on "non grass" broadleaf species of plant. This product soaks into the leaves and then the plant moves the product to the root which then kills the root. To be effective, the plant must have a significant leaf surface area. It's not very effective prior to the spring leafing of the plant. Also, do not apply prior to a rain. This needs to sit on the leaf for a few days to be most effective.

You probably should use some harsher chemicals on the briars. Roundup is a popular brand. Follow the label instructions and don't forget to re-apply after a few weeks.

[Slim140]

The agent Bill Hudson posted is checking on some things and is going to make a recommendation to me, I'll post what I find out.

[Slim140]

Heard back from the Agriculture agent and this was the recommendations. Need one of these 2 with Triclopyr.

PastureGard:
https://www.solutionsstores.com/pasture ... 500%25ROAS

Crossbow:
https://www.solutionsstores.com/crossbo ... 500%25ROAS

If I have to spray 25 acres, that's a bunch of chemical. I ask the landowner what he wants to do cause this man can't afford it.

Spot spraying isn't an option, it's a 25 acre spot that needs spraying.

[Eugene]

There are generic versions out there of the two products listed. Much cheaper.

Visit your local farm and ranch store. Copy down the names of the "weed Killer" and prices. Go home and research each product.

Next thought, determine what types of weeds you are trying to control. Some weeds are controlled by mowing at specific times.

Last thought. I would mix up about 2 gallons of what ever herbicide you decide to use. Then spot spray a couple of areas. See what happens.