Cleavers
This noxious weed has historically been a widespread problem in annual or winter annual crops, especially canola. The tangled stems pull crop plants down and get tangled in harvesting equipment. Cleaver seed is a contaminant in many crops and devalues seed. The plant is easily recognizable by touch – it is covered in hooked hairs that cling to skin, fur and clothing. Cleavers prefer to grow in semi-shade; its leaves may scorch in full sun.
Control Options:
- Use of in-crop herbicide is the best way to control cleavers.
- Check your Crop Protection Guide for herbicide recommendations.
- Use certified weed-free seed and clean tangled plants off harvesting equipment before moving it.
- Cannot be controlled by mowing or grazing.
- Has become much less of a problem in canola since the development of herbicide-resistant crops.
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