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RAPP CHATS
By RAP OWINGS
Extension Agent, Agriculture
THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE was written by Harlan E. White, V.P.I. Extension Forage Specialist. I consider Harlan to be one of the top Agronomists in the East. And I believe his discussion of the broomsedge problem will be of interest to many Rappahannock landowners.
CONTROLLING BROOMSEDGE IN PASTURES—Tall, brown clumps of broomsedge appear to be thriving in many Virginia pastures. This pest has always been a problem in many fields in Virginia, but for the last two or three years it has become even more prevalent. A commonly encountered question from farmers is, “why has the broomsedge gotten so bad and what can I do to get rid of it?”
The broomsedge plant is a clump-type perennial grass which lives for three to five years once it becomes established. It is of relatively low quality once it reaches a height of 6 to 8 inches and livestock will not eat it if they are able to find other forage to graze. This enables the plant to grow and establish itself without being held back by grazing. On the other hand, livestock will graze the plant while it is in a young and tender vegetative condition in early Spring or after it is mowed. If the plants are grazed frequently, they are weakened and become less competitive.
Broomsedge has the ability to grow on hot, dry soils which are often quite shallow. On these types of soils improved species such as orchardgrass and bluegrass are usually not able to be productive or even to survive, thus leaving much of the soil surface vulnerable
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