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Midwest weather extremes fueling toxic weed growth

An assistant professor at Iowa State University says drought conditions and excess rain is fueling toxic weed growth across the Midwest. 

Shelby Gruss says growth stage and quantity consumed increases the risk for livestock.

“Things like Poison Hemlock, Wild Parsnip, St. John’s Wort, common Milkweed, Black Cherry, or Johnson Grass, they can be pretty fatal in small amounts,” she says. “Producers need to be able to identify them.”

She tells Brownfield early detection and prevention is critical.

“Treating with herbicides in the fall and early spring in those early stages is the best way to control these,” she says. “It can be really hard to control without using a herbicide. You can mow or cut after bolting, but you want to make sure you do this before flowering.”

Gruss says inconsistent weather patterns can weaken forage quality, making it easier for toxic weeds to spread quickly.

AUDIO: Shelby Gruss, Iowa State