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Page 5 of 23 Appendix 1 <br />if a Canada thistle infestation exists in a field that will be rotated to alfalfa, control the weed before seeding <br />alfalfa Alfalfa is an effective competitor only after it is established. It will not adequately establish in a <br />well-developed Canada thistle infestation. A Canada thistle management system can start with crop or grass <br />competition combined with herbicides, with the field rotated to alfalfa when the management plan ends. <br />Musk thistle <br />Management <br />Cultural control of Musk Thistle <br />Maintaining pastures and rangeland in good condition is a primary factor for musk thistle management. To <br />favor pashrre and rangeland grass growth, do not overgraze. Fertilize only when necessary and according to <br />soil testing recommendations. To successfully manage musk thistle, prevent seed formation <br />Mechanical control of Musk Thistle <br />Musk thistle will not tolerate tillage and can he removed easily by severing its root below around with a <br />shovel or hoe. Mowing can effectively reduce seed output if plants are cut when the tern~inal head is in the <br />late-flowering stage. Gather and burn mowed debris to destroy any seed that has developed. <br />Chemical Control of Musk Thistle <br />Several herbicides are registered in pasture, rangeland and noncrop areas to control musk thistle. Tordon <br />22K (picloram), Curtail (clopyralid +2,4-D), BanvelNanquish/Clarity (dicamba), 2,4-D, or <br />Banvel/Vanquish/Clarity plus',4-D are commonly used. Apply these herbicides in sprang or fall to musk <br />thistle rosettes. <br />Apply Tordon at 0.5 to I pint per acre (.A), Curtail at' quarts/A, Banvel/Vanquish.~Clarity at 0.5 to 2 <br />quarts/A, 2,4-0 at 1.5 to 2 quarts/A, or BanvellVanquish/Clarity plus 2,4-D at O.S plus lquart/A. Cool <br />temperatures (below 50 degrees E), particularly in tall, may adversely affect 2,4-D control of musk thistle; <br />therefore, use 2,4-D in spring. Tordon is largely unaffected by cool temperatures- BanvelNanquish/Clarity <br />can be adversely atTected but less than 2,4-D Banvel/Vanquish/Clarity plus .'.,4-D works well in spring or <br />fall. Apply any of these herbicides before musk thistle bolts or seed production still will occur. <br />i ' -a i <br />