Shattercane?

[singlecoyote]

Does anyone have any first hand experience with this stuff? Is it terribly invasive? Does it have any value for wildlife cover?

 

[doubledrop32]

We had organic corn that we could not spray and got it pretty bad in one field. You have to just chop it down or yes it can be very invasive. You don't aw much of it sure to roundup so I don't know how bad it can get but it is something you will want to take care of for sure.

 

[buckfever321]

It's a noxious weed in Iowa, has a very aggressive and rapid growth. Can really hurt crops by hogging light and nutrients. Like doubledrop said, you want to try and get it under control.

 

[Daver]

Farmer friends of mine have been very concerned when shattercane shows up and have been very aggressive in getting it removed ASAP. As to all of the whys, I do not recall, but I trust that their strong concern about it was not unwarranted.

 

[turkeyriver]

If I remember right, shattercane is milo/sorghum gone wild. Before RR technology, it was nearly impossible to control in corn, since it is closely related to corn. I believe that is why RR milo hasn't hit the market, at least I've never been able to get it.

 

[nannyslayer]

You are correct. Shatter cane is a wild strain of sorghum. It is easily controlled now days with the chemicals we have in crop fields. It is highly evasive, that's why most people hit it hard when they first show signs of it.

As for wildlife, heck yes it has a lot of value. Food and cover are the top reasons.

 

[singlecoyote]

Thanks for the input. I don't have any on my ground, just been watching a patch of it for 5-6 years and have always wondered about it.