Sedges In Pasture No Need To Panic
WEST PLAINS, MO.
Sarah Kenyon, an agronomy specialist with University of Missouri Extension, says she has noticed a large number of sedges in area pastures and hayfields.
“Homeowners do not like sedges in their lawns but if you have it in your pasture there really is no need to panic,” said Kenyon.
This group of plants looks like grasses, but do not belong in the same classification. Instead, sedges have a three-ranked triangular-shaped stem and belong to the Cyperaceae family.
Commonly seen sedges include yellow nutsedge, purple nutsedge, and path rush. Livestock will normally graze sedges when vegetative, but tend to avoid the flower stalks.
Sedges are considered nutritious for livestock according to Kenyon.
“Sedges tend to grow in moist areas. The wet conditions last year, particularly last fall, may be part of the reason for their abundance this year,” said Kenyon.
One option for control is to graze the plants, or address problems with poor drainage.
Herbicide options include the use of Permit and Yukon, both of which contain the active ingredient halosulfuron-methyl. ∆