Winning the food plot weed wars

Weed invasion is one of the most destructive forces working against quality wildlife food plots.

Not only do the weeds add no valuable — or palatable — food source for wildlife, they literally suck out the nutrients and moisture in the soil that would be contributing to better forage feeding plants. Thus, best practices for wildlife food plots demand that weeds be controlled.

“My business is creating and working food plots for hunters,” said Danny Ingold of Lexington, a golf course maintenance supervisor with over 20 years of developing wildlife plantings on the side. “I have always recommended selective weed control via spraying. It is an effective way to beat the weeds in food plots.”

Beating non-native grasses

The appropriate use of herbicides is essential to killing non-native grasses that can choke out productive food plot plantings. The worst offenders are Bermuda grass, Bahia grass and Johnson grass, all of which can be controlled by spraying, burning, haying or grazing.

But, in terms of practicality, spraying is probably the best, most effective method of all.

Suggested herbicides

The best commercial weed killing herbicides by marketing names include Arsenal AC ®, Chopper Gen2®, Escort®, Outrider®, Plateau® and Select®.

Generic glyphosates work, too. Each of these herbicides can be effective on killing different grasses at differing rates of application. When you go to your chemical supplier like a local farm co-op, be sure to ask the sales people which type to buy for the grasses you are targeting for eradicating.

Be sure to read completely the product labels for recommended application amounts and if any added surfactants may be needed to help the herbicide adhere to the weed plants.

When to use herbicides

Before planting any food plot with selected seed varieties, be sure to apply all weed-killing herbicides well in advance.

Ideally you want a complete and thorough “burn down” of the non-native grasses before planting your wheat, oats, clovers and other wildlife food plot seeds. This will avoid any residual chemical issues that might impact the plot seeds.

Again, seek advice from a county extension agent or a knowledgeable person at the farm co-op.