
Return to Course Homepage	*UMCE Pasture Management Home Study : an Online Course*

Weed Control Options for Pasture

2. Mechanical Control

Mechanical weed control is also a very good option in situations where equipment can be utilized or fairly small infestations of weeds are present. This method takes time and dedication, but has been successfully used in overtaking extensive weed control problems.

Repeated mowing, clippings, and hand weeding can diminish weed infestations. When the weeds are in the early bud to early bloom stage, cut them 3 to 4 inches above the ground. This weakens the weed by depleting the root reserves and prevents the further spread of seed. Timing of the mowing is critical because you must eliminate the seed production, which will prevent future re-infestations. This is true of all weed control options.

Plants such as Canadian thistles are difficult to control due to their ability to produce a second seed head during the same growing season. This forces a follow-up clipping. In addition to re-growing, they commonly produce the second seed head close to the ground, making clipping very difficult. Caution must also be observed when mowing woody plants, as some plant material such as cherry tree leaves can become toxic to livestock after they have been artificially desiccated.

Tillage and reseeding can be used to suppress weeds as part of a pasture renovation, but is seldom used to manage weeds in an existing pasture as it is costly and time consuming.

Putting knowledge to work with the people of Maine

A Member of the University of Maine System
Last Modified: 08/05/03
These pages are currently being maintained from the
Dairy & Livestock Office, University of Maine Cooperative Extension.
Send comments, suggestions or inquiries to garya@umext.maine.edu