K-State Research and Extension

Broomsedge: Known aliases - Poverty Grass, Sagegrass

The Broomsedge Project will evaluate the impact of fertilization strategies on broomsedge in fescue and native grass hay fields in SE Kansas, over several years. At each of the five sites, fertilizer treatments will be applied based on each location’s soil analysis. During the first year, these fertilizer treatments are designed to consider lime, phosphorus and nitrogen and their effects on the persistence of broomsedge bluestem.

The project collaborators are Wildcat District Agents (Wendie Powell, James Coover and Adaven Scronce), K-State Specialists (Dr. Gretchen Sassenrath, Dr. Jaymelynn Farney and Dr. Bruno Pedreira), local Conservation Districts (Levi Clubine- Montgomery County, Pam Walker- Wilson County and Erin Hibbs- Labette County). As a team, we are excited to plan field days and fact sheets to share the knowledge we learn.

Events

Broomsedge Field Trial News-October 8th / 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. / Fredonia, KS

Broomsedge Field Trial News -Oct. 22 / 11 a.m. -2 p.m. / Caney KS

Broomsedge Project Wildcat Wednesday with Wendie Powell - May 29, 2021

Broomsedge Bluestream

Why is broomsedge bluestem a problem?

In pasture and hay field situations, broomsedge bluestem is considered a weed. It makes poor forage for livestock and wildlife. It increases in plant numbers as more desirable vegetation is selectively grazed. If left uncontrolled, broomsedge bluestem can become the dominant grass in entire pastures. It is commonly known as a biological indicator plant. Where it becomes invasive, the soil nutrient levels tend to be very low; evidence of overgrazing or poor management.

 

The common solution to this problem plant has been to apply fertilizer according to soil tests. However, we are looking to see if applying different levels of nutrients may speed up the process of removing broomsedge bluestem.

Conservation District Partners

Kansas Department of Agriculture (KDA) Division of Conservation (DOC) - oversight agency for the conservation districts in Kansas. The KDA DOC assists each District Manager and their Board of Supervisors, composed of (usually) five locally elected persons charged with guiding each conservation district. This guidance includes laws, regulations, funds management AND state cost-share for voluntary implementation of specific conservation practices to address recognized resource concerns in each county.

https://agriculture.ks.gov/divisions-programs/division-of-conservation

The first page of this site includes a map. Users can click on a county and find the conservation district office, district manager’s name and contact information.  There is information about each of the Supervisors representing their county on the board. 

Kansas Association of Conservation Districts (KACD) - the KACD is the organization which gives “voice” to conservation district boards and to conservation district managers:

https://kacdnet.org/

Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) - Conservation districts and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the NRCS are closely partnered.

https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/site/national/home/

Kansas NRCS:

https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/national/technical/econ/stateresources/?cid=stelprdb1044079

Labette County: 

www.facebook.com/labettecountyconservation

www.labettecounty.com/conservation-district