Graig Reicks et.al

By Eric Jones and Graig Reicks et.al After June 15 or July 10(dependent on location), right-of-way ditches can be mowed and/or hayed as announced by the South Dakota Department of Transportation. While there is a demand for grass hay, care should be taken when haying right-of-way ditches. Noxious weeds can grow within these areas and should be avoided to minimize hay contamination and the spread of seeds across the landscape (Figure 1).

By Eric Jones and Graig Reicks et.al Yellow toadflax is a perennial weed that infests pasture and rangeland across South Dakota. Compared with other perennial weeds (i.e., Canada thistle and leafy spurge), the appropriate time to spray yellow toadflax occurs in late summer between August and September. Last year, yellow toadflax flowering was delayed due to environmental conditions (https://extension.sdstate.edu/yellow-toadflax-has-not-flowered-some-parts-south-dakota).

By Eric Jones and Graig Reicks et.al Absinth wormwood is a statewide noxious weed that inhabits cropland, pasture, rangeland, right-of-ways, and waste sites. If not effectively managed, the species can displace desirable vegetation, reduce crop yield and decrease land value. Absinth wormwood should be treated with herbicide in June to early July. Once plants start showing a white powdery appearance on the leaves, herbicide effectiveness decreases drastically (Figure 1).