Weed wiper... Johnson grass. Anyone using one?

[Dadnatron]

I purchased a new farm last summer. The grass has been heavily hayed. I've let it grow up this year, trying to get some fertility and biomass back to some degree. I have succeeded!

There is a LOT of Johnson Grass over this farm, I've found.

The question I have is does anyone have experience with a Weed Wiper? The 'best ones' appear to be the ones utilizing a rotating brush, rather than carpet roller and/or sponge. At least from my research. But I don't see a USA manufacturer other than Smuckers (sponge) and Grassworks (carpet roller). While the 'brush' seems to make perfect sense to me, I have no real world experience with it and don't know how much 'better' the brush versions would actually be in comparison to a rotating carpet version.

I need something, as my pastures are going to be nothing BUT Johnson grass, if I don't come up with something. I haven't grazed it yet, and the cattle might keep it controlled to a degree. However, I will be rotationally grazing, and I know I can't graze all the Johnson Grass adequately for suppression, on my 130ac with only cows. So I am looking for some means to help suppress the Johnson grass while still preserving my other grass species.

 

[5030]

I spray mine with a 350 gallon pull behind sprayer. I looked at the weed wipers but they look hit and miss whereas spraying isn't

 

[dusty3030]

We used a wick bar on johnson grass back in the day. Long PVC pipe with rope wick. Mixed glyphosate 50/50 with water.

Wick Bar

 

[dusty3030]

I spray mine with a 350 gallon pull behind sprayer. I looked at the weed wipers but they look hit and miss whereas spraying isn't

What selective herbicide do you use broadcast to control johnson grass that doesn't affect the other grasses.

 

[Dadnatron]

Here is a video clip talking about herbicides. (Herbicides mentioned were Outrider and Plateau) Outrider will hurt Fescue at higher concentrations.

- YouTube

Couldn't embed the link for some reason. Begins at 1:40 - 2:40

 

[5030]

What selective herbicide do you use broadcast to control johnson grass that doesn't affect the other grasses.

2-4-D Buteryac. It ain't cheap but a little goes a long way and unlike Glyphosate, it don't accumulate in the soil for later issues. I quit using Glyphosate a long time ago, actually. Here in Michigan at least, you need an applicators license to buy it. Not sure about other states.

The other less publiczed issue with Glyphosate is it's a known and proven carcenogen.

 

[dusty3030]

2,4 D is great for most broadleaf but the topic is johnson grass. The original poster is trying to eliminate johnson grass. It’s hard to control and not harm other grasses. Spot spraying or as was the topic here wiping it with glyphosate is economical and you don’t use much chemical.
Pastora early application has done good for me in bermuda but has to get it before it gets more than a foot tall

 

[Complete Turf Care]

2-4-D Buteryac. It ain't cheap but a little goes a long way and unlike Glyphosate, it don't accumulate in the soil for later issues. I quit using Glyphosate a long time ago, actually. Here in Michigan at least, you need an applicators license to buy it. Not sure about other states.

The other less publiczed issue with Glyphosate is it's a known and proven carcenogen.

2,4-DB is a broadleaf weed killer. It won't do much, if anything, on johnson grass.

Glyphosate is 100% neutralized the instant it touches soil. That's why you can plant in soil immediately after applying glyphosate.

Glyphosate has been classified by ONE organization as a POSSIBLE carcinogen. It has not been proven to be a carcinogen.

 

[Jrasband]

what is so wrong with Johnson grass? it is excellent forage to graze in the warm season when the cool season pasture is half dead. It dies back in the cool season for you to graze your clover, orchard grass, fescue, and etc.

 

[Hay Dude]

what is so wrong with Johnson grass? it is excellent forage to graze in the warm season when the cool season pasture is half dead. It dies back in the cool season for you to graze your clover, orchard grass, fescue, and etc.

I agree. I have found that cows love it.
I have a Customer who loses his mind when he sees a clump of JG. lol
He acts like it’s radioactive poison.