![]() These results suggest that producers can use lower product rates on younger weeds while field conditions are still good enough to accommodate equipment, as opposed to waiting until late spring when pastures are often waterlogged from frequent rains.Īlthough control of buttercup during fall and winter is preferred, there are also viable control options for buttercup during the spring. GrazonNext HL at 1 pint per acre and 2,4-D Ester at 10.8 fluid ounces per acre each had at least 95 percent control at each application date. By May, six months after the initial November application, all treatments at each application date resulted in more than 75 percent buttercup control. These treatments were applied in November, December, and March to determine their effectiveness in controlling buttercup. Recent field demonstrations in north Alabama were conducted to evaluate treatments of 2,4-D Ester, GrazonNext HL, and Weedmaster. 10.8 fluid ounces per acre of 2,4-D Ester applied in December. These timely herbicide applications should result in increased forage quality, yield, and overall better grazing opportunities for livestock.įigure 2. Therefore, the most effective options are timely herbicide applications when plants are small and actively growing. Mechanical control such as disking or mowing does little to control buttercup. By controlling buttercup, as well as other winter broadleaf weeds, desirable forages are more likely to receive the full benefit of any fertilizer applications. If producers begin to see a flush of green vegetation across their fields this spring, buttercup is likely in the mix. However, large stands of buttercup may be difficult for livestock to avoid when the fields are covered each spring. Because of its bitter taste and toxic properties, cattle usually avoid consuming buttercup. If consumed, these compounds can cause blisters in the animal’s mouth or nosebleeds in cattle. This compound produces an oily substance when the plant parts are crushed or eaten by grazing livestock. Generally, buttercup prefers moist sites and easily grows in areas where forages are thin.Īll buttercups of the Ranunculus genus contain a toxic compound called ranunculin. They begin to emerge in the fall as warm season forage growth and soil temperatures decrease. While some buttercup species were introduced to the Southeast, many buttercups are native to Alabama and are well adapted to the environment. The most common species found in Alabama are hairy buttercup, bristly buttercup, and littleleaf buttercup. Most of these species are either biennial or perennial, meaning they will return the following year from both seed and tuberous roots. There are roughly a dozen species of buttercup across the Southeast. Buttercup flowers in mixed grass pasture. For best results, soil test every 3-5 years to accurately determine what soil nutrients and amendments are needed.Figure 1. Lime is generally applied in the fall and is added to improve the ability of grass to compete against Buttercup and other weeds such as moss. Harrow to establish good seed to soil contact. If the stand is thin, overseeding is best accomplished mid September to mid October with a large seed species such as perennial ryegrass (pastures) or festulolium (pastures and hayfields). Consider fertilizing during the first half of September, ahead of the fall rains. Reduce soil compaction by aerating and avoid trampling when soils are wet. ![]() Improve conditions for grass by fertilization, overseeding, liming and not over-grazing.Two or three treatments may be necessary to control Buttercup due to weed seed soil bank and the ability of mature plants to recover. Haying restriction: Do not harvest treated area for hay until 21 days after treatment. Use 1.25 cups Class Act to three gallons of spray mixture or 2.5 gallons of Class Act to 100 gallons of water. Spot treat rate is 0.25 pint MCPA to 3-4 gallons of water. For selective control of Buttercup in grassy conditions such as pastures and hayfields, use the herbicide MCP Amine plus an adjuvant (wetting agent) such as Class Act.To get rid of buttercups in your pasture or hayfield is a two step process spray to kill the existing buttercups and improve the conditions that favor grass production. It is safest to keep populations of buttercup under control on grazed pastures and offer plenty of healthy forage. Unfortunately, livestock occasionally develop a taste for buttercup and consume fatal quantities. Also, the toxin protoanemonin is not very stable and loses its potency when dry, so buttercup is not generally toxic in hay. Fortunately, buttercup has a strong, bitter taste so animals generally try to avoid it if more palatable forage is available. Fresh buttercup plants are toxic to grazing animals, who can suffer from salivation, skin irritation, blisters, abdominal distress, inflammation, and diarrhea. ![]()
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