Herbicide on new grass: expert explains the right time for weed control

Weed control is a continuous and decisive challenge in livestock farming. The uncertainty about the ideal time for herbicide application in new pasture is crucial to avoid future infestations and ensure the health of the forage. Agricultural engineer Wagner Pires, a pasture specialist from Esalq-USP, offers a "golden tip": the producer should not wait for the grass to grow to overshadow the weed, as this strategy is ineffective and highly risky. The risk of this neglect is that, when grazed, the pasture "relieves stress," allowing the weed to return with force and seed. Seeding is a serious and long-term problem: from a single plant, hundreds of seeds can emerge in the following years, perpetuating the problem on the farm. Check it out: For the management of forming pasture (new pasture), herbicide application is considered mandatory if there is a history of weeds in the area. The correct strategy is to act in the early stages of the invader's development to ensure maximum ...