Downy Brome

We have a problem in several fields.  It's called Downy Brome, more commonly known as Cheat Grass.  It's a fall germinated annual, just like wheat.  It's in the grass family, just like wheat, and it loves the same growing conditions as wheat does.

There are a few chemical options, but they have proven to be marginally effective at best.  A person can plant spring crops for two or three years and "clean up the ground" as we say, but that has economic impacts, mostly negative.

This is not a new issue for us and for many in our area.  I grew up listening to my grandpa and then my dad, worrying about "cheat" and how to control it.  Some years, the conditions are particularly good for cheat grass germination and this fall is one of those years.  Take a look.

This is the hill that parallels our house lane.

This is a close up look of that hill.  The darker green plants are wheat plants.  The light green between the wheat plants is solid cheat grass.

Another close look at the cheat grass between the rows.  UGH!!!!

This is what it's supposed to look like.  Nothing but soil and straw residue between the rows of wheat.