Weed Control in Wildlife Foodplot & Habitat Mixes

While many foodplots are usually considered low maintenance, proper care will ensure a higher chance of success. A successful weed control strategy relies on timing and product selection, focusing on improving yield and quality.

General Weed Control Strategies

Start clean, then manage what comes up.
For best results, control existing weeds before planting. A non-selective burndown herbicide, such as glyphosate, can be used ahead of seeding to help create a clean seedbed. Once the food plot is growing, only use selective post-emergent herbicides that are labeled for the crop, site, weed species, timing, and application method.

Don’t overlook mowing.
In perennial plots, such as clover or alfalfa, mowing can be one of the simplest ways to manage tall weeds without relying only on herbicides. Set the mower just above the desired forage height to clip off taller weeds and help prevent them from going to seed while allowing the food plot species to keep growing.

Know when weeds are actually a problem.
A few weeds do not always mean a failed food plot. Some species, including pigweed, lamb’s quarter, and ragweed, can provide browse for deer and may even offer temporary shade for young plants. The key is balance. If weeds are not overtaking the plot or crowding out the species you planted, they may not require aggressive control. Focus weed control efforts where competition is reducing establishment, forage quality, or overall plot performance.

CROP	TIMING	PRODUCT	TARGET	METHOD
Forage Base Mix	PRE	Glyphosate	G, B	BA - Use before planting to clean up existing vegetation. Non-selective; avoid contact with desirable plants. Best as site prep, not after the mix is up.
	POST	Glyphosate Diquat 2,4-D	G, B G, B B	SS - Use as a directed/spot spray only. Avoid contact with desirable plants. No clean broadcast POST option because this mix contains grasses, legumes, and chicory.
	POST	2,4-DB	B	BA/LBL - Possible broadleaf option for legume portion only when label allows; confirm safety around chicory and grass components.
Trophy Greens Foodplot Mix	PRE	Glyphosate	G, B	BA - Use before planting to clean up existing vegetation. Non-selective; avoid contact with desirable plants. Best as site prep, not after the mix is up.
Trophy Greens Foodplot Mix	POST	Clethodim Sethoxydim Fluazifop	G	BA/LBL - Use to selectively control annual grassy weeds in brassicas when the label allows.
Season Finale Mix	PRE	Glyphosate	G, B	BA - Use before planting to clean up existing vegetation. Non-selective; avoid contact with desirable plants. Best as site prep, not after the mix is up.
	POST	Glyphosate Diquat	G, B	SS - Use as a directed/spot spray only. Avoid contact with desirable plants. Best option once the mix is up because this mix is too diverse for a clean broadcast POST treatment.
	POST	Clethodim Sethoxydim Fluazifop	G	SS/LBL - Grass-selective products can injure desired oats; only use as directed/spot treatment where loss of grass component is acceptable.
Spring Rebound Mix	PRE	Glyphosate	G, B	BA - Use before planting to clean up existing vegetation. Non-selective; avoid contact with desirable plants. Best as site prep, not after the mix is up.
	POST	Glyphosate Diquat	G, B	SS - Use as a directed/spot spray only. Avoid contact with desirable plants. No clean broadcast POST option due to rye/oats, legumes, brassicas, flax, and buckwheat.
	POST	Clethodim Sethoxydim Fluazifop	G	SS/LBL - Grass-selective products can injure desired oats/rye; only use as directed/spot treatment where sacrificing grasses is acceptable.
Lucky 3 Clover Mix	PRE	Glyphosate	G, B	BA - Use before planting to clean up existing vegetation. Non-selective; avoid contact with desirable plants. Best as site prep, not after the mix is up.
	POST	Clethodim Sethoxydim Fluazifop	G	BA/LBL - Broadcast option for grassy weeds in established clover when label allows.
	POST	2,4-DB	B	BA/LBL - Possible broadleaf option in established clover. Do not substitute 2,4-D.
Upland Gamebird Mix	PRE	Glyphosate	G, B	BA - Use before planting to clean up existing vegetation. Non-selective; avoid contact with desirable plants. Best as site prep, not after the mix is up.
	PRE	Pendimethalin	G, B	BA/LBL - Possible residual option only if the label covers the seeded species. Buckwheat and oats may not tolerate this application.
	POST	Glyphosate Diquat 2,4-D	G, B G, B B	SS - Use as a directed/spot spray only. Avoid contact with desirable plants. Broadcast broadleaf or grass-selective options would likely damage part of the mix.
Full Strut Forage Mix	PRE	Glyphosate	G, B	BA - Use before planting to clean up existing vegetation. Non-selective; avoid contact with desirable plants. Best as site prep, not after the mix is up.
	POST	Glyphosate Diquat 2,4-D	G, B G, B B	SS - Use as a directed/spot spray only. Avoid contact with desirable plants. No clean broadcast POST option because clovers and grass/small grain components respond differently.
	POST	2,4-DB	B	BA/LBL - Possible broadleaf option only if label covers the mix components; do not substitute 2,4-D.
Migration Magnet Mix	PRE	Glyphosate	G, B	BA - Use before planting to clean up existing vegetation. Non-selective; avoid contact with desirable plants. Best as site prep, not after the mix is up.
	PRE	Pendimethalin	G, B	BA/LBL - Possible residual option for the grass/grain portion only when label allows; buckwheat makes this less clean.
	POST	Glyphosate Diquat 2,4-D	G, B G, B B	SS - Use as a directed/spot spray only. Avoid contact with desirable plants. 2,4-D may injure/remove buckwheat; avoid broadcast unless label allows and buckwheat loss is acceptable.
Native Feast Foodplot Mix	PRE	Glyphosate	G, B	BA - Use before planting to clean up existing vegetation. Non-selective; avoid contact with desirable plants. Best as site prep, not after the mix is up.
	PRE	Pendimethalin	G, B	BA/LBL - Consider only in year 2+ established perennial stands. Do NOT apply prior to seeding or during first-year growth.
	POST	Clethodim Sethoxydim Fluazifop	G	BA/LBL - Use in year 2+ established stands to control annual grassy weeds when label allows.
Native Legume Foodplot Mix	PRE	Glyphosate	G, B	BA - Use before planting to clean up existing vegetation. Non-selective; avoid contact with desirable plants. Best as site prep, not after the mix is up.
	PRE	Pendimethalin	G, B	BA/LBL - Consider only in year 2+ established perennial stands. Do NOT apply prior to seeding or during first-year growth.
	POST	Clethodim Sethoxydim Fluazifop	G	BA/LBL - Use in year 2+ established stands to control annual grassy weeds when label allows.
Habitat Mix	PRE	Glyphosate	G, B	BA - Use before planting to clean up existing vegetation. Non-selective; avoid contact with desirable plants. Best as site prep, not after the mix is up.
	PRE	Pendimethalin Imazapic	G, B	BA/LBL - Consider only in year 2+ established perennial stands. Species tolerance varies; do NOT apply prior to seeding or during first-year growth.
	POST	Clethodim Sethoxydim Fluazifop	G	BA/LBL - Use only if Habitat Mix was seeded without desirable prairie grasses. If seeded with Prairie 3 Plus/Prairie 7, avoid broadcast grass-selective herbicides.
Prairie 3 Plus	PRE	Glyphosate	G, B	BA - Use before planting to clean up existing vegetation. Non-selective; avoid contact with desirable plants. Best as site prep, not after the mix is up.
	PRE	Pendimethalin	G, B	BA/LBL - Consider only in year 2+ established perennial stands. Do NOT apply prior to seeding or during first-year growth.
	POST	2,4-D Dicamba Imazapic	B B G, B	BA/LBL - Apply only after native grasses reach the 4-leaf stage and label allows. Do NOT apply to wildflowers or forb-containing mixes.
Prairie 7 Mix	PRE	Glyphosate	G, B	BA - Use before planting to clean up existing vegetation. Non-selective; avoid contact with desirable plants. Best as site prep, not after the mix is up.
	PRE	Pendimethalin	G, B	BA/LBL - Consider only in year 2+ established perennial stands. Do NOT apply prior to seeding or during first-year growth.
	POST	2,4-D Dicamba Imazapic	B B G, B	BA/LBL - Apply only after native grasses reach the 4-leaf stage and label allows. Do NOT apply to wildflowers or forb-containing mixes.

DISCLAIMER: This chart is for general reference only and does not replace the product label. Pesticide labels are legal documents. Always read, understand, and follow the current label before use. It is a violation of federal law to use any pesticide in a manner inconsistent with its labeling. The applicator assumes responsibility for proper product selection, application rate, timing, method, crop/site suitability, grazing or harvest restrictions, and compliance with all federal, state, and local regulations.

Updated: 07/07/2026