This week, we will discuss a practice known as herbaceous weed control. As the drought conditions continue in Kleberg and Kenedy counties, weeds are still present in pastures and other grazing lands. So the removal or control of herbaceous weeds, including invasive, noxious and prohibited plants, becomes very important.

The purpose of this practice is to enhance accessibility, quantity, and quality of forage and/or browse; to restore or release native or create desired plant communities and wildlife habitats consistent with the ecological site; to protect soils and control erosion; and to reduce fine-fuels fire hazard and improve air quality. This applies on all lands except on cropland.

Herbaceous weed control will be applied in a manner to achieve the desired control of the target species and protection of desired species. This will be accomplished by mechanical, chemical, burning or biological methods either alone or in combination. Prescribed Grazing is used to ensure desired results are achieved and maintained.

As a guide, chemical references must be from AgriLIFE B-1466 or http:// pestman.tamu.edu/.

When herbicides are used, environmental hazards and site-specific application criteria listed on pesticide labels and contained in extension service and other approved pest management references must be followed. Herbaceous weed control will include post treatment measures as needed to achieve resource management objectives.

Herbaceous weed control will be applied in a manner to minimize negative impact to forage and/or other non targeted plants. Timing and sequence of control shall be planned with other practices such as prescribed grazing or forage harvest management.

Apply herbaceous weed control in a manner to protect the health and vigor of native or desired plant species. Treatments will be conducted during periods of the year when weed species are most vulnerable and will promote restoration of the native or desired plant communities. Apply herbaceous weed control in a manner that maintain or enhance important wildlife habitat requirements. Treatments will be conducted during periods of the year that accommodate reproduction and other lifecycle requirements of target wildlife and pollinator species. Apply treatments that maintain or enhance plant community composition and structure to meet the requirements of target wildlife species.

Of course, all application methods of herbaceous weed control should be done to minimize soil disturbance and soil erosion. Additional treatment will be applied to protect soils and prevent erosion.

Treat weed species in a manner that creates a native or desired plant community which reduces the potential for accumulating excessive fuel loads and increased wildfire hazards. Apply treatment methods in a manner that minimize the potential for unintended impacts to air resources, e.g., smoke, chemical drift etc.

For air quality purposes, consider using chemical methods of herbaceous weed control that minimize chemical drift and excessive chemical usage and consider mechanical methods of herbaceous weed control that minimize the entrainment of particulate matter. Adjacent land uses must be considered before chemicals are used especially where cotton is planted on cropland.

Herbaceous weed control practices shall be applied using approved materials and procedures.

Operations will comply with all local, state, and federal laws and ordinances. Follow label requirements for mixing/loading setbacks from wells, intermittent streams and rivers,natural or impounded ponds and lakes, and reservoirs.

Calibrate application equipment according to recommendations before each seasonal use and with each major chemical and site change. Replace worn nozzle tips, cracked hoses, and faulty gauges on spray equipment. Maintain records of plant management for at least two years.

Monitor success of control of target species so weed resistance is minimized. More about weed resistance in future columns.

For more information on this practice, as well as other conservation practices and programs available, contact the Natural Resources Conservation Service office in Kingsville at 401 East King Ave., or call at (361) 592-0309 Ext. 3.