Leafy spurge is one of the most destructive weeds of grasslands in many areas of Nebraska. This fall is a good time to halt the spread of this weed on your land.

Leafy spurge is an aggressive, noxious weed in many grasslands, says Bruce Anderson, University of Nebraska forage specialist.

"Cattle won't eat it, which is fortunate because the plant contains a toxin that causes scours, weakness, and even death," he says. "In some places, entire sections of land have been overrun by this plant, making them virtually worthless."

Controlling leafy spurge on large areas can be costly and difficult, so it is smarter to treat small patches, especially in CRP fields, before they spread.

Fall herbicide treatments on actively growing plants helps control leafy spurge. On many grasslands, the best treatment is to use a relatively new herbicide called Plateau, Anderson suggests. Apply 8 to 12 ounces of Plateau per acre about two weeks before a killing freeze this fall.

"This herbicide is quite effective and it does not injure most native grasses or wildflowers," Anderson says.

Another option that may be better for cool-season pastures but will kill most wildflowers is two to four pints of Tordon 22K per acre. This option is more expensive than Plateau but it doesn't injure cool-season grasses as much.

Don't expect to eliminate leafy spurge in just one or two years. Spray again each spring when plant tops of escaped leafy spurge start turning bright yellow.

Two quarts per acre of either Grazon or 2,4-D usually is satisfactory, he points out.

Also, new seedlings often appear after a year or two. So, reexamine your grasslands each spring and if new seedlings appear, control them while they are small and easy to kill.