Feeding livestock can be an expensive venture and when you have a big pasture that is getting overtaken by weeds its heartbreaking. Of course, there are all sorts of weed killers on the market but spraying acres of pasture can be very expensive and not to mention most local farmers don’t have the money or equipment needed to spray large fields. For example, a 2.5 gallon of weedkiller can cost up to $150.00 and the field can require up to 1-4 quarts per acre depending on the weed concentration. Not to mention the tow behind sprayers cost thousands of dollars.

The Kentucky Department of Agriculture (KDA) contacted the Leslie County Extension Office’s Agriculture and Natural Resource Agent (ANR agent) and introduced her to the free Nuisance Weed Spraying program. She quickly began to reach out to local hay producers and livestock owners to help them take advantage of this program. All the farmers would need to have a way to tow the sprayer and a water source.

One farmer who had only recently purchased a farm and moved his horses to the property found himself in just this predicament. Twelve acres of pasture being overrun with weeds. After talking to his local ANR agent, he put in his online application on the KDA website and this summer the Kentucky Department of Agriculture and the Leslie County ANR agent showed to help him. The ANR agent discussed the kinds of weeds she saw growing on his property and the KDA agent gave a lesson on the kind of weed killer he recommended and how to use the 200-gallon sprayer. The farmer had his property treated in no time. Soon he will be able to see a major difference in the quality of his pasture.

It’s a wonderful thing when agencies are able to work together for the betterment of Kentucky farmers.