After all the snow, ice and cold temperatures, pasture weed control is probably the last thing on the minds of producers.

According to University of Missouri Extension Agronomist Brie Menjoulet, however, now is the time to plan a pasture weed management strategy.

She recently explained the ins and outs of pasture herbicides at the Webster County Soils and Crops Conference held in Marshfield, Mo.

“The first thing you need to know about pasture herbicides is how they work,” Menjoulet explained. “Herbicides must disrupt one or more vital plant processes in order to kill the plant.”

And in order to disrupt plant processes the herbicide is usually applied in a foliar method when the plant is actively growing.

Menjoulet did mention that there are some herbicides that can be applied into the soil but they are more often used for row crops and alfalfa.

When it comes to pasture weed control in southwest Missouri she said the most common herbicides included:

•2,4-D

•Picloram—(Tordon)

•Triclopyr—(Remedy & Garlon 4)

•Dicamba—(Banvel & Clarity)

•Aminopyralid—(Milestone)

•Metsulfuron—(Cimarron & Escort)

These products, according to Menjoulet, are effective in weed control by themselves. However, she said combining chemicals will increase the spectrum of weeds controlled.

“The important thing to remember is to read all labels and active ingredients before combining chemicals,” she explained.