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Page 5 of 23 Appendix <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 1-histi <br />Maintaining pastures and rangeland in good condition is it primary factor for musk thistle management. To <br />favor pasture and rangeland grass growth, do not overgraze. Fertilize only when necessary and according to <br />soil testing recotturtendations. To successfully manage musk thistle, prevent seed formation. <br />Mechanical control of Musk Thistle <br />Musk thistle will not tolerate tillage and can be removed easily by severing its root below ground with it <br />shovel or hoe. Mowing can effectively reduce seed output if plants are cut when the terminal head is in the <br />late-dowering stage. (iather and burn tttowed 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 />222 (picloram). Curtail (clopyralid ; 2,4-1)), Banvel.'Vanquish,Clarity (dicantba). 2,4-D, or <br />Banvel Vanquish C'lanty plus -1.4- 1) are commonly used. Apple these herbicides in spring or fall to musk <br />thistle rosettes. <br />Apply Tordon at 0.5 to I pint per acre (A). Curtail at 2 quarts, A. Banvet-Vanquish'Clarity at 0.5 to 2 <br />quarts; A, 2,4-13 at 1.5 to 2 quartsr'A, or Banvel!Vanquish)Clarity plus 2,4-D at 0.5 plus 1 quart/A. Cool <br />temperatures (below 50 degrees F), particularly in fall, 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. Banvel/Vanquish'Clarity <br />can be advcrsel-y affected but less than 2,4-D. Banvel,'Vanquish, Clarity plus 2,4-D works well in spring or <br />fall. Apply any of these herbicides before musk thistle bolts or seed production still will occur. <br />