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Persistence with control measures will help beat thistles in pastures.

October 12, 2021

2 Min Read
Thistle
NOT SO PRETTY: Thistles of all kinds, including musk, can pose a real problem in pastures. Fall is a great time to control thistles and get a head start on control for next spring.Mateusz Kropiwnicki/Getty image

Did you spray thistles this past spring and summer? If so, it would be a good idea to revisit those areas as there is likely some remaining or new growth that has occurred. 

October and early November is a key time to control thistles in pastures. There are several biennial thistles, but musk, plumeless, Scotch and bull thistles are the most problematic. 

Biennials require portions of two growing seasons to flower or reproduce. They develop from seed the first season into a flat rosette. When trying to control biennial thistles, destruction of rosettes before flowering (bolting) is an effective means of preventing seed formation and subsequent spread. 

Watch for Canada thistle

Another thistle to look out for is Canada thistle. Canada thistle is a creeping perennial that can be controlled with fall spraying, in conjunction with other management options in the spring.

While in the rosette stage, thistles are more effectively controlled using herbicides. It is important to note that fall spraying of thistles is not a silver bullet, and effective control often needs repeated applications. It will take several years of timely control before the soil seed bank is reduced. 

There are many herbicides labeled for thistle control. Note that some products traditionally recommended for spraying thistles have recently changed product names. Take care when purchasing products, and always read and follow label directions before use.   

Control options

GrazonNext HL, Milestone, Chaparral, Graslan L, Stinger, Overdrive and Tordon 22 are all products that are labeled for use on biennial thistles, as well as Canada thistle. 2,4-D mixed with dicamba is also an effective option, but it should be sprayed when temperatures are warmer for the highest efficacy. 

When using Tordon 22K or Graslan L, both products are restricted use and contain picloram. Use extreme caution around other vegetation, especially trees, as both products will kill woody plants. 

Volesky is a Nebraska Extension range and forage specialist.

Source: UNL Forage Minute, which is solely responsible for the information provided and is wholly owned by the source. Informa Business Media and all its subsidiaries are not responsible for any of the content contained in this information asset.

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