First year hay field management and thistle

[Ford850]

Canada thistle is a perennial and cannot be controlled by digging. It spreads aggressively with its massive net of a root system. But the OP's picture is Bull thistle, which is a biennial. It lives 2 years, the second year flowering and going to seed. Cutting the blossoms stops that cycle. It can also be controlled by digging since it only has a large tap root, like dandelions.

 

[powerscol]

Canada thistle is a perennial and cannot be controlled by digging. It spreads aggressively with its massive net of a root system. But the OP's picture is Bull thistle, which is a biennial. It lives 2 years, the second year flowering and going to seed. Cutting the blossoms stops that cycle. It can also be controlled by digging since it only has a large tap root, like dandelions.

Just learned something new - Thank You

 

[DogT]

I looked at the different types of thistles, we have Canada thistle, but it's not bad, one here and there, I don't even mess with it. What I have looks like musk thistle. Thistle Comparison

 

[holeycow]

canada thistle needs no chemical application whatsoever in pasture or hayland. Just cut it. Preferably just before a heavy rain (the hollow stems take on water and kills the roots). If it's hay, then just hay it at haying time. In 2 or 3 years they will all be gone (other than a few stragglers hanging on for dear life). No poison required. Just wasting time and money and poisoning the earth.