Struggling to eradicate speargrass in the field

J

Jill rhys

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Sep 14, 2025
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It's starting to feel like a losing battle, every cutting I think I've thinned it out, but by the next season it seems to come back stronger. It's not just an eyesore either, the animals don't touch it, and it ends up dragging down the overall quality of the bales. I've tried mowing lower and even spot spraying, but nothing seems to truly knock it back. I'd really like to get ahead of it before it spreads through more of the field.
Dont wanna say I'm desperate but I kind of am, so I'm willing to try far and beyond to see these things gone
 
I had the same problem with dog fennel on my land last year. No matter how short I cut it, it kept coming back. What worked for me was spraying early in spring with 2,4-D and dicamba, then planting a lot of ryegrass to help push it out. It took a few months, but now it's under control. Don't worry, it can be fixed with good timing!
 
Jill rhys said:
It's starting to feel like a losing battle, every cutting I think I've thinned it out, but by the next season it seems to come back stronger. It's not just an eyesore either, the animals don't touch it, and it ends up dragging down the overall quality of the bales. I've tried mowing lower and even spot spraying, but nothing seems to truly knock it back. I'd really like to get ahead of it before it spreads through more of the field.
Dont wanna say I'm desperate but I kind of am, so I'm willing to try far and beyond to see these things gone
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Yeah, speargrass can be a real pain! Since mowing and spot spraying aren't cutting it, consider a selective herbicide that targets the speargrass without harming your hay crop. Timing is also key here as you'd want to apply it when the plant is most vulnerable! Also try to improve your forage stand to discourage it from coming back. Overseeding with a dense, vigorous hay mix can help crowd out the speargrass and prevent it from getting the resources it needs. It's a long-term strategy, but it's often the best way to get ahead of the problem!
 
I’ve dealt with similar in other fields... mixture of spot herbicide + mowing + boosting your pasture strength works best. Don’t spray everything all at once if you can isolate patches; protect the good grasses while whacking the speargrass.
 
You're better off with a total burndown with glyphosate when it's 12 to 18 inches tall, then hit it again when it regrows. You'll need at least two seasons of this, maybe three, without letting it seed. After that, overseed aggressively with something competitive like tall fescue to choke out what's left
 
I've been spraying whenever I have time, but I should probably wait until it's actively growing in spring for better results. and about this overseeding idea, thinking about it now, it makes sense too, my hay stand is getting thin in spots which is probably why the speargrass is taking over. What kind of mix would you recommend for crowding it out? I'm in zone 6 if that helps. Thanks for the advice!
 

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