• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association

Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association

To Honor and Protect the Ranching Way of Life

  • Home
  • Who We Are
    • Why Join
    • Leadership
    • Staff
    • Partners
    • FAQs
    • Newsroom
    • Sponsorships
    • Employment
  • What We Do
    • Theft and Law
    • Issues and Policy
    • Education
    • Students and Young Professionals
    • The Cattleman Magazine
    • Disaster Relief Fund
    • Cattle Raisers Insurance
    • Cattle Raisers Trading Co
  • Events
    • Cattle Raisers Convention
    • Policy Conference
    • Summer Meeting
    • Ranch Gatherings
    • Ranching 101
  • Join
  • Member Center
  • TSCRA Store
  • Show Search
Hide Search

Forage Fax weed of the week is grassbur

Source: Forage Fax newsletter by the Texas A&M Extension Department of Soil & Crop Sciences | Feb. 28, 2020

By Vanessa Corriher-Olson, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service forage extension specialist, Soil & Crop Sciences, Overton

SWK-04-020 Deleon0011
Grassbur photo courtesy Texas A&M AgriLife Extension

Grassbur is a grass weed that is very troublesome in pastures and hay meadows throughout Texas. Most grassburs are easily recognized in the mature stage of growth when the “bur” seed heads become apparent. The bur itself is actually a capsule that usually contains from one to three seeds.

We tend to think of the grassbur species as a warm season annual plant. However, many grassburs are classified as perennials because they can survive from one year to the next. The presence of grassburs can be an indication of a weak stand of forage. Grassburs are more tolerant of acidic, low fertility soils than many of our warm season forages. One of the best cultural control measures is to maintain a healthy stand of forage with proper management.

Grassbur at the 2 to 3 leaf stage.
Grassbur at the 2 to 3 leaf stage.

Identifying grassbur is key to chemical control. Unfortunately, most cannot identify a grassbur until it has produced the bur seed head. Dr. Paul Baumann, retired professor and Extension weed specialist, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, has an excellent publication on grassbur identification. Click the following link for a copy of the publication: Grassbur: Early recognition is a key for management.

Select Herbicide Options:

Prowl H2O (pre-emergent; labeled for winter dormant bermudagrass only)

Pastora (post-emergent for bermudagrass pastures, will destroy bahiagrass)

REMEMBER: THE LABEL IS THE LAW! Always read the pesticide label before using.

Written by:
kristin
Published on:
March 4, 2020

Categories: Feed & Forage, Natural Resources, Plants, Ranching, The Cattleman Now - App

Recent Posts

TSCRA commends Secretary Rollins and USDA on Texas sterile fly facility

June 18, 2025

FORT WORTH, Texas (June 18, 2025)— U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins today announced …

Continue Reading about TSCRA commends Secretary Rollins and USDA on Texas sterile fly facility

Crime watch: Brangus bull missing in Fayette County

June 13, 2025

Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association Special Ranger Kenny Murchison, District 20 in …

Continue Reading about Crime watch: Brangus bull missing in Fayette County

Crime watch: Cattle missing in Freestone County

June 13, 2025

Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association Special Ranger Chace Fryar, District 21 in East …

Continue Reading about Crime watch: Cattle missing in Freestone County

Footer

Who We Are

Why Join
Leadership
Staff
Partners
FAQs
Newsroom
Sponsorships
Employment

What We Do

Theft and Law
Issues and Policy
Education
Students and Young Professionals
The Cattleman Magazine
Cattle Raisers Insurance
Cattle Raisers Trading Co.
Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association

Information

Cattle Raisers Blog
News Releases
Bereavements
Events
Sponsorships & Advertisement
Tip Hotline
Get Involved
Links

Membership

Membership Center
Membership Center Instructions
Join
Renew
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

PO BOX 101988
FORT WORTH, TX 76185

1-800-242-7820

© 2023 Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association; All Rights Reserved.

COPYRIGHT | PRIVACY POLICY | TERMS OF USE