The Bracken County Extension Service hosted a workshop on Pasture Weed Control to help producers understand both why pasture weeds are more prevalent, and how to mitigate weeds through various methods.  

In recent years, pasture weed pressure has increased, and most of the reason is due to winter feeding damage.  Excessive wet winters have resulted in the destruction of sod around feeding areas.Without grass competition, weeds take advantage of open spaces and crowd out any remaining grasses.  Weeds have high seed production making the problem even worse.

Cultural methods of weed control including seeding, fertility, mowing and sanitation were all recommended first to reduce weed pressure.  Next weed identification was emphasized to understand what weeds we are dealing with.  This allowed producers the understanding of what chemicals should be used for the different types of weeds, when to apply them, and at what stage they need to be applied.  Invasive weeds such as Buttercup were reported as they are now here in the county along with the dangerous potential of weeds such as Poison Hemlock.  

Producers indicated they would spray earlier to take advantage of smaller, more easily control weed size, and that they know to delay spraying many perennial weeds till mid-summer for best control.