This spring continues to be an interesting one with weather playing a major role in herbicide and weed issues observed across the state. I have seen several instances of herbicide injury in our corn plots due to the cloudy cool weather. These instances are nothing new, and all the plants have grown out of their injury, but don’t be surprised if you see herbicide symptomology following POST applications in the weeks to come.

Winter weed pressure has been an issue in alfalfa this year. I have been contacted about weed competition concerns – primarily for mouseear chickweed and an emerging weed: roughstalk bluegrass.  Mouseear chickweed is not new to most people; however this year has seen an increase in its competitiveness with alfalfa. Roughstalk bluegrass on the other hand is a relatively new weed to Michigan agriculture. It is a perennial bluegrass spreading by seed and stolons. It has the characteristic bluegrass leaf shape, a large ligule, and is hairy on the leaf and stem. It becomes a problem in alfalfa because it matures before alfalfa cutting, becoming woody and ultimately reducing forage quality and palatability. The most economical weed control at this point in the season is through cutting. This will remove the weeds that are present, and with summer approaching most winter weeds will slow in their growth or go dormant.

Remember the MSU Weed Tour is scheduled for Wednesday July 1^st.