Sedges In Pasture Not Cause For Panic

WEST PLAINS — Sarah Kenyon, an agronomy specialist with University of Missouri Extension, says she has noticed a large number of sedges in area pastures and hay fields.

“Homeowners do not like sedges in their lawns, but if you have it in your pasture there really is no need to panic,” said Kenyon.

This group of plants looks like grasses, but do not belong in the same classification. Instead, sedges have a three-ranked triangular-shaped stem and belong to the Cyperaceae family.

Commonly seen sedges include yellow nutsedge, purple nutsedge and path rush. Livestock will normally graze sedges when vegetative, but tend to avoid the flower stalks.

Sedges are considered nutritious for livestock, according to Kenyon.

“Sedges tend to grow in moist areas. The wet conditions last year, particularly last fall, may be part of the reason for their abundance this year,” said Kenyon.

One option for control is to graze the plants or address problems with poor drainage.

Herbicide options include the use of Permit and Yukon, both of which contain the active ingredient halosulfuron-methyl.

For more information, contact any of these MU Extension agronomy specialists in southwest Missouri: Tim Schnakenberg in Stone County, 417-357-6812; Jill Scheidt in Barton County, 417-6823579. Two agronomy graduate students are also available to answer questions: Ben Polley in Douglas County at 417-683-4409 and Colin Hill in Taney County at 417- 546-4431.