Broomsedge Bluestem: Stay Ahead of It!

Remember that the broomsedge did not move into the field in one year, and you won’t be able to outcompete it in one year. But a sustained approach over several years can help you solve this problem.

– Dr. Gary Bates Former Director of the U. of Tennessee Beef & Forage Center

Andropogon virginicus…Broomsedge Bluestem, has become a nemesis of EKS cool season grasslands – but why? It’s not overly competitive, requiring open space for establishment. Even after germination, it can take a couple years to produce seed. Unfortunately, it gains a foothold because of these factors affecting our stands that makes them less than competitive as well:

• Multiple dry falls
• Long-term fertility deficiencies
• Overgrazing
• Fall armyworm feeding

All result in open space and that = broomsedge. So what does Dr. Bates mean by a sustained approach to combat it? Appropriate stocking rates…Ample rest…Instituting drought mitigation tactics…Fall Armyworm scouting…

…and an emphasis on fertility:

• Soil Test: pH and P are often blamed but the need for K has increased as well. If you’ve already applied fertilizer this spring, make a mental note now to soil test post harvest to make sure applications = need.
• Use a fertilizer blend to encourage grass competitiveness: a soil test can give you minimum application rates, but for longer term stand health, consider crop removal rates: each ton of brome/fescue hay removes 12#/A P and 40#/A K. The soil supplies some but repeated dependence on it will draw down soil test levels. And don’t forget sulfur (S)!
• Consider grazing: pastures aren’t immune to broomsedge but they do benefit from nutrient cycling through the animal to keep soil test levels from declining as quickly as they do in hay stands. Overgrazing will have to be monitored, but a focus on leaving ample forage height for rapid grass recovery in combination with nutrient cycling can be a big help. There are lots of other factors to consider if implementing a grazing system, but when possible, it might be a road to recovery as well.

Are there other options? Maybe…but that’s a different topic for a different day!