Written by: Kevin Owens

Edits by: Pierce Young

Managing weeds effectively is crucial for the success of food plots, as they compete with desired plants for nutrients, water, and sunlight. Selecting the appropriate herbicide depends on the specific weeds present and the crops you intend to plant. Listed below are some commonly used herbicides for food plots and what they specifically target.

Post-emergent Herbicides: A chemical applied to weeds once they have already emerged from the soil and are actively growing; it needs to contact the foliage of the plant to be effective. 

  • Glyphosate (Roundup) - A non-selective herbicide effective against a wide range of weeds, grasses, broadleaf plants, and woody species. It is commonly used to clear vegetation before planting. It can also be applied to crops advertised as "Roundup Ready", such as many soybean or corn varieties. Normally applied at a rate of 1 quart per acre.
  • 2,4-D - A selective herbicide used to control broadleaf weeds in food plots of grain species like corn, wheat, oats, rye, sorghum, and millets. It is effective against annual broadleaf weeds and are not suitable for plots containing legumes like clover or alfalfa. Normally applied at a rate of 1 quart per acre.
  • 2,4-DB (Butyrac) - A selective herbicide that targets broadleaf weeds without harming perennial legumes such as clover, alfalfa, trefoil, and jointvetch. It is effective against tough weeds like smartweed, thistles, pigweed, coffeeweed, and sicklepod. It is often used in combination with a surfactant to enhance effectiveness. Application rates range from 1-3 quarts per acre.
  • Clethodim (Select) - A selective herbicide used to control grasses in legumes such as clovers, cowpeas, or jointvetch, but can also be used in Chufa (a sedge) or Sunflowers. It is effective in controlling grass weeds without harming the legumes. It is often used in combination with a surfactant to enhance effectiveness. Application rates range from 12-16 ounces per acre.
  • Sethoxydim (Poast Plus) - Another selective herbicide commonly used to control grasses in legumes, Chufa, or Sunflowers. Application rate is 2.5 pints per acre mixed with 2 pints of Crop Oil Concentrate. 
  • Dicamba (Banvel) - A selective herbicide commonly used for broadleaf control in Chufa or Millet. Application rates range from 2-4 pints per acre. 
  • Bentazon (Basagran) - A selective herbicide commonly used to control sedges in legumes (clover, jointvetch). Application rates range from 2-3 pints per acre. 

Pre-emergent Herbicides: A chemical applied to the soil after planting to prevent weed seeds from germinating. The chemical is incorporated into the soil by rainfall or irrigation. Typically applied in the early Spring or Fall. 

  • Imazethapyr (Pursuit) - A pre-emerge herbicide commonly used in legumes (clover, joint-vetch, soybeans, cowpeas, lablab) for control of broadleaf weeds, grasses, and sedges for an average of 6 months. Application rate is 2.5 pints per acre. It can also be applied as a post-emergent herbicide.
  • S-metolachlor (Dual Magnum)  - A pre-emerge herbicide commonly used in legumes (clover, joint-vetch) and Sunflowers for control of broadleaf weeds, grasses, and sedges for an average of 4 months. Application rate ranges from 0.5-1.5 pints per acre. It can also be applied as a post-emergent herbicide.

Non-Ionic Surfactants: Commonly mixed with herbicides to enhance their effectiveness. Surfactants assist the herbicide with improved spreading over the leaf surface, penetrating plant tissues, breaking the surface tension of water, increasing droplet size and ensuring the herbicide stays where it is intended to be applied.

For more information on managing food plots visit: www.mdwfp.com/wildlife-management-info

For technical guidance and to schedule a site visit with one of our wildlife biologists visit:  www.mdwfp.com/privatelands