THE MARYLAND HORSE COUNCIL


Farm Stewardship presented by


Control Weeds Source: Maryland Department of Agriculture Offi ce of Resource Conservation Weeds spread quickly, so look for new weed patches on your property


regularly. Act immediately to treat them by using one or more of the weed control practices listed below. Team up with neighbors to improve eff ectiveness. Be sure to correctly identify weeds for proper control. Re- member, weed control alone is not enough. It is also necessary to modify the practices that caused weeds to become established in the fi rst place!


LEARN TO SPOT WEEDS BEFORE THEY…


• Choke out desirable plants • Reduce the productivity of your pasture and natural areas • Spread RAPIDLY! • Aff ect the health of your livestock


PREVENTION Good land management and proper fertility will help keep desirable


vegetation healthy and weeds under control. Buy quality clean hay, straw, and bedding. Look for weeds on your property and remove them promptly. Well managed grazing will inhibit weed establishment and en- courage the healthy development of pasture grasses.


LIVESTOCK TRANSPORT Because livestock and wildlife can easily carry and spread weed seeds


on their coats or in their feces, avoid moving livestock from a weedy area to a weed-free area. Some weed species, if eaten, will make livestock sick.


MECHANICAL CONTROL Mow weeds as needed before they go to seed. Pull small weed patches


and weeds near streams by hand.


CHEMICAL CONTROL Herbicides can harm natural resources if used incorrectly, but are ef-


fective when applied correctly in the proper amounts and at the proper stage of plant growth. If you choose to hire a professional applicator, he/she must be licensed and certifi ed by the Maryland Department of Agriculture’s Pesticide Regulation Section. Trained personnel are issued identifi cation cards from the Department and the business license num- ber must be displayed on the service vehicle. Call 410-841-5710 or visit egov.maryland.gov/mda/pesticides to search a database of licensed com- panies and certifi ed pesticide applicators. If you are a do-it-yourselfer and decide to apply herbicides to control


weeds: • Ask your local Extension offi ce for recommendations on herbicides for your particular problem. • Buy only the amount of herbicide that you need, for the current


weed problem. • Read and follow all label instructions. • Wear protective clothing specifi ed on the label. • Keep herbicides away from waterways. • Do not spray in the morning when bees are active. • Handle and mix all herbicides on a concrete slab to protect groundwa- ter resources. • Contain and clean up all spills immediately. • Be sure herbicides will not reach and kill desirable trees and shrubs. • It is best to keep horses out of pastures when applying herbicides. • Contact your county’s Extension offi ce or hazardous waste disposal program for information on proper disposal of unwanted herbicides.


MARYLAND NOXIOUS WEEDS T e Maryland Noxious Weed Control Law requires landowners to


eradicate or control weeds designated as noxious on all types of land including: • Johnsongrass • Musk T istle • Shattercane • Plumeless T istle • Canadian T istle • Bull T istle


BEWARE OF THESE FAMILIAR PLANTS T ere are several common fl owers, ornamental landscape plants, and


trees that are poisonous to horses. Do not plant these species too close to the fence or where horses can eat them. For more information on plants that are toxic to horses, contact your local Extension offi ce. If you suspect that your horse has eaten a toxic plant, contact your veterinarian immediately. • Azaleas and Rhododendrons • Black Locust • Box Elder Maple • Buckeye • Cherry • Daff odils • Foxglove • Hydrangea (pictured) • Milkweed • Mountain Laurel • Oaks


• Red Maple • Yews


Learn more at MDA.MARYLAND.GOV/HOW 38 | JUNE 2024 | THE EQUIERY YOUR MARYLAND HORSE COUNCIL PUBLICATION 800-244-9580 | www.equiery.com


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52