Buck Hollow Sporting Goods - click or touch to visit their website Midwest Habitat Company

Switchgrass

Ive got 2 stands total of 17 acres going into 2nd growing season. Most of it was pretty clean as I planted later in summer and had put atrazine down. Some of it had foxtail come on pretty strong late though I let it go.

What should I be looking for going into spring to make sure I get a good clean start for the switch stands? Obviously broadleaf control as needed but anything beyond that I should be doing?
RC big rock from @IowaBowHunter1983
Main reason I as is IU am considering doing an additional 10 acre but dont want to take that on (time and $) if I need to take care of this baby first.

Thanks
2nd year switch really doesn’t need much in most cases. Foxtail “peters out” & USUALLY by a significant amount the 2nd year. I usually do 0 second year if it’s a thick stand. Ignore some weeds. If they are bad… I’ll spray probably duracor for broadleaves now & id hit foxtail with quinclorac & meth seed oil. Bet u don’t need to do anything though.
 
10-4 Im in north central mo. I would assume middle of May would be right?
In Southern Iowa, the "safe" date for switchgrass germination was told to me to be May 10th. Early, or late, Springtime conditions could influence that date. But I always found it to be "right in there" in terms of accuracy/validity.
 
In Southern Iowa, the "safe" date for switchgrass germination was told to me to be May 10th. Early, or late, Springtime conditions could influence that date. But I always found it to be "right in there" in terms of accuracy/validity.
The issue with this is with the "new" switch varieties like Big Rock. Its quite a bit more vigorous and seems to "wake up" a bit earlier than other varieties previously did. I would say burning No later than the 1st in Iowa.
 
I might try and establish some switch grass strips to border my timber/ag field lines. I've watched lots of videos and read through here a good bit. Honestly feeling overwhelmed having no experience with this and so many do's and don'ts. I've spent hours watch youtube videos and reading on this.

Trying to understand the amount of herbicide per acre etc is confusing to me as well.

f I do this this first year this spring I think I will only need about 2 acres worth of seed. Step one would be to spray simazine where I want to establish these strips before spring greenup. Im a total newb to this. Will my 4 gallon huscqvarna backpack sprayer work to spray simazine? I saw in a video that it is thick?
 
I might try and establish some switch grass strips to border my timber/ag field lines. I've watched lots of videos and read through here a good bit. Honestly feeling overwhelmed having no experience with this and so many do's and don'ts. I've spent hours watch youtube videos and reading on this.

Trying to understand the amount of herbicide per acre etc is confusing to me as well.

f I do this this first year this spring I think I will only need about 2 acres worth of seed. Step one would be to spray simazine where I want to establish these strips before spring greenup. Im a total newb to this. Will my 4 gallon huscqvarna backpack sprayer work to spray simazine? I saw in a video that it is thick?
Available equipment and current condition of where you want to plant and ill spell it out real simple.
 
Available equipment and current condition of where you want to plant and ill spell it out real simple.
Just hand tools.

-4 gallon backpack sprayer
-weedeater
-heavy duty brush cutter. Like a big weed eater with saw blade, harness etc. (not sure what you would call it)
-rakes

I can try and get some pictures this weekend if its not a big time rain of the areas I want to establish this.
 
Just hand tools.

-4 gallon backpack sprayer
-weedeater
-heavy duty brush cutter. Like a big weed eater with saw blade, harness etc. (not sure what you would call it)
-rakes

I can try and get some pictures this weekend if its not a big time rain of the areas I want to establish this.
Spray:
Gly: 2 quarts per acre
24d: 1.5 pint per acre
Simazine: 2 quarts per acre (do NOT over spray simazine)

When dead use you brush cutter to expose some soil.

Broadcast switchgrass. 10 lbs per acre (higher rate than drilling) no sooner than 10 days after spray if used 24d.

Run it over with anything you have to compact. Truck, atv, tractor, wife's minivan.

Walk away.

Mow if gets weedy or spray duracor 16 oz per acre.

Quinclorac and MSO if you get foxtail.
 
I prefer wife's mini van method.

Matter of fact I converted my wife's ride to better suit our needs.
 

Attachments

  • Screenshot_20250312_062927_Chrome.jpg
    Screenshot_20250312_062927_Chrome.jpg
    145.3 KB · Views: 7
Top Bottom