Bracken ferns, any ideas on how to get rid of it ?

[C G Thorman Farm]

My hay fields have bracken ferns in them, and it seems to get worse every year, I know they are toxic to cattle and other livestock, although cows try to avoid eating it. Any ideas on how to get rid of it, other than tilling it up ?

[Deleted]

We had some which we sprayed, waited until they went brown in colour and then mowed them down.

Most spots have not appeared again after doing this 2 years in a row. But others have continued to appear but at a lesser number.

We also have a feral pig issue and where they have dug up the ground, we are finding the odd leaf appearing, so I am currently spraying all that I see.
Its winter, but I still spray ready for the mow down in early spring.

Yes its a mow too - commercial mower with a 72" blade cut. Turns on a 20cent piece. Its a dream.

[C G Thorman Farm]

I have many acres of fields that are getting over run with ferns, I guess that is partly due to maine's moist climate, We dont have drought issues up here. . I need to do something about it, or pass them on to someone else.

[midhilldexters]

I have the same issue here but luckily outside my pastures. Last year I sprayed with a complete killer, they are back this year. I have read that if you disturb the roots they become weaker, so you could keep discing them or maybe pull a cultivator through them if you didn't want to use chemicals. I intend to spray again this year but later in the year when the fronds are all open, nearer fall. I have also mowed them down for a few years and that doesn't help at all. Given I live where it gets really cold, seems they are quite resilient. So if you find something that works, let me know.

Carol K

[Deleted]

Jun 19, 2013 19:22:14 GMT -5 C G Thorman Farm said:

I have many acres of fields that are getting over run with ferns, I guess that is partly due to maine's moist climate, We dont have drought issues up here. . I need to do something about it, or pass them on to someone else.

We are 100 acres and we still mow and spray

[Deleted]

Yes they are a pain and a continual work in progress but when you see less popping up over a couple of years, it certainly keeps you dealing with those that are stubborn.

And we are having more trouble this year with feral pigs, so I doubt treating the bracken will ever be off the 'To Do' list arhhhhhhhh!

[C G Thorman Farm]

Thanks for the responses and ideas....I have read that its toxic to horses and cattle, im not sure about how much is to much, my cows avoid eating the plants, but when mixed in with the baled hay it makes you wonder. I just dont want to be slowly poisoning my herd. I have been making or helping make hay since I was a kid, no one ever thought or knew that ferns where toxic and they fed it to them along with other weeds in the fields they hayed, old timers I have talked with never heard of it. Maybe I am making a bigger deal of it than I should, but just want whats best for my dexters, they are part of the family to me.

[janmar]

Ia a Bracken Fern the same as Russian Thistle?