Killing barley grass

3 posts
Fri, 12/26/2014 - 18:22 #1

Member for

9 years 11 months
stevo.421
Last seen: 03/08/2018 - 21:05
Joined: 12/26/2014 - 18:17

Killing barley grass

Hi,

I would like to know how to kill barley grass for good....I have had contractors in that have sprayed but it only went away for about 5 years, then returned....want it gone!

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Sun, 12/28/2014 - 20:53 #2
barb
Last seen: 09/17/2019 - 18:07
Joined: 11/23/2011 - 09:38

Hi,

When plants have been allowed to seed, there is a residue of seed in the soil, called a seed bank, which can persist for many years (up to thirty years for some types of grass i.e, rats tail, and weeds). I suggest spraying it with Grazon Xtra or Glyphosate yourself, when it germinates and gets to about 8 cm centimetres high, but before it seeds, so as to break the cycle. I'm surprised the first spray lasted for five years- that was a pretty good run. Unfortunately, you will just have to be persistant and spray each year before it seeds. Eventually, you will get rid of it, but it will take a while- several more years at least.

You haven't said how many hectares you want to spray, but if it is a fairly large area, you may find it less expensive to buy yourself a 100- 200 Lt spray tank and 20 Lt of Grazon Xtra or Glyphosate 360 and do it yourself. Just a suggestion, anyway.

All the best,

Barb

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Mon, 12/29/2014 - 10:03 #3
charlie
Last seen: 12/26/2018 - 09:21
Joined: 05/31/2011 - 09:44

Hi Stevo,

Barb is spot on with her spray recomendenations. 

Chemcial applications should only form part of a larger strategic plan to remove the barley grass from the farm.

Barley grass is an annual that establishes in the autumn, grows through the winter, set seed and dies in the spring and early summer. It produces a small amount of good quality feed in the winter but quickly becomes unpalatable as it runs to head and seed.

The seeds of barley grass are the biggest problem with livestock, particularly sheep and lambs. They can contaminate the wool, pierce and damage the skin causing injury also become logged in the eyes causing secondary infections like pink eye. 

The best and most sustainable control option is to increase plant competition. Weeds, particularly annual weeds like barley grass only establish where there is sufficient bare ground and space for them to do so. Plant competition can be increased by strategic grazing and rest periods, by soil testing and correcting nutrient deficiencies or by sowing a perennial pasture.

Regards,
Charlie

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