Wild Mustard or Fireweed .... Pastures....Horses - Ask Extension
I have a 7 acre ranch near Eagle Crest. This year....for the first time...I have something growing in my paddock where my horse grazes.... I have n...
Knowledgebase
Wild Mustard or Fireweed .... Pastures....Horses #869101
Asked May 19, 2024, 12:54 PM EDT
I have a 7 acre ranch near Eagle Crest. This year....for the first time...I have something growing in my paddock where my horse grazes.... I have never had this issue before. I think it is either wild mustard or some type of fireweed. Pictures attached.
Either way, I have reduced access for my 30 year old horse while I get it under control. I would like to know what it is, how to treat it safely for my horse. It is flowering now. Shall I go through and burn it....pull it.....?????
Deschutes County Oregon
Expert Response
Hi Kerry,
That's a flixweed or tansymustard (definitely in the family Brassicaceae), but I can't tell which from these photos.
Handpulling is a good option if the infestation is not too large.
Alternatively, a 2,4-D based pasture herbicide will provide good control. You have to read the label carefully to determine if there are grazing restrictions. One such product, Latigo, can be used in pastures and has no restrictions for grazing of non-lactating, non-meat animals. A horse could be returned to the pasture right after spraying is completed.
Thanks,
Gordon
That's a flixweed or tansymustard (definitely in the family Brassicaceae), but I can't tell which from these photos.
Handpulling is a good option if the infestation is not too large.
Alternatively, a 2,4-D based pasture herbicide will provide good control. You have to read the label carefully to determine if there are grazing restrictions. One such product, Latigo, can be used in pastures and has no restrictions for grazing of non-lactating, non-meat animals. A horse could be returned to the pasture right after spraying is completed.
Thanks,
Gordon
Thank you…I did drop a sample of the weed at the Extension office at the Redmond Fairgrounds yesterday. Were you able to see them? Not sure you are in the same location.
The area is pretty large for me to handpull by myself. Would you suggest I cut them to the ground before spraying…or just spray as is? Kerry
On May 21, 2024, at 8:40 AM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
Hi Kerry,
I'm based out of the office in Prineville, so I haven't seen that sample.
No need to mow first. We want to spray such that the herbicide comes into contact with lots of actively growing leaves. A week or two after the spray is applied, you can go ahead and mow to knock down the plants.
Gordon
I'm based out of the office in Prineville, so I haven't seen that sample.
No need to mow first. We want to spray such that the herbicide comes into contact with lots of actively growing leaves. A week or two after the spray is applied, you can go ahead and mow to knock down the plants.
Gordon
