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Recommended management methods; <br />Cultural - Establishment of selected, aggressive grasses can be an effective cultural <br />control of musk thistle. Contact your local CSU Extension office or Natural Resources <br />Conservation Service office for seed mix recommendations. <br />Mechanical - Mowing or chopping is most effective when musk thistle plants are at <br />bud stage. Grubbing or digging the plants below the root crown level is effective as <br />well. Do this while the plant is in the rosette stage. <br />Biological - Livestock tend to avoid grazing on musk thistle, although horses and cattle <br />have been known to eat the flowerheads. Biological control insects, such as the seed <br />head weevil (Rhiiiocylltis coitictts) and the crown weevil (Trichosirocaltts horridtts) are <br />effective on large infestations. When used together, these insects provide fair to good <br />control. Expect to wait at least 3 to 5 years for the insects to establish significant <br />populations and achieve optimum management results. Insects can be obtained at no <br />charge from the Colorado Department of Agriculture. Please call 970464-7916 or go to <br />www.Ralisadeinsectary.com for more information. <br />Herbicides - The following are recommendations for herbicides that can be applied to <br />range and pasturelands. Always read, understand, and follow the herbicide label <br />directions. The herbicide Iabel is the LAW! <br />Herbicide <br />Rale, ' <br />A Trcat7i�. <br />Milestone <br />3 to 5 oz/acre <br />Apply to plants in the spring and early summer at rosette or <br />early bolting stage or to the fall rosette. DO NOT rotate to a <br />broadleaf crop within 1 year of application. Add a non-ionic <br />surfactant a., 0.32ozJ al water or 1 t/100 gal water. <br />2,4-D Amine <br />1 qt./acre <br />Spring/fall rosette — before flowering stalls lengthens. DO NOT <br />or <br />apply when outside temperatures will exceed 85 degrees. <br />I oz/gal water <br />Add non-ionic surfactant a 0.32 oz/gal water or <br />1 t/100 gal water. <br />Curtail <br />1.5 — 2 qts./acre <br />Spring rosette to pre -bud stage and/or fall rosette. <br />or <br />Add non-ionic surfactant cc 0.32 oz/gal water or <br />1.5-2.0 oz/gal water <br />1 t/100 gal water. <br />Clarity <br />1 qt./acre <br />Spring rosette — before flowering stalk lengthens and/or late fall <br />or <br />treatment of rosettes. DO NOT apply near or under trees and/or <br />1 ozl al water <br />shrubs or when outside temperatures will exceed 85 degrees. <br />