Copious amounts of lime. Simple, easy, cheap, less impactful on the environment - though not as quick as herbicide.
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I did use Crossbow (had two partial jugs left from last year). It did a good job. Do you know the difference between Crossbow and straight 2,4,d Ester? And why one may, or may not, be superior to the other?
Dr. Bates recommends 2,4,d Ester to be applied in early emergence after three days of 60 degree F plus temps. Yes, that’s 2,4, d Ester; straight stuff. But, as I noted, for two years we have NOT had a spring produce three days of spray appropriate weather in the early emergence stage. And that recommendation is for OPTIMUM effect. Since I don’t have a “spring weather control app” on my phone I have to live with what God/Fate/Rules of Chaos/Whatever sends us in the spring. I have to work under less than optimum conditions. What is your recommendation, or that of any expert you wish to consult, for actions under these conditions?
Oh, and consider this: even assuming you can get Dr. Bates’ optimum conditions of three good days you actually need one more: the day of application. If it didn’t rain for three days but was forecast for day 4 would you do the application? That’s a fair question.
And I’m not “dumping” 2,4,d on anything; that’s your word, not mine. I’m applying it under other than optimum conditions IAW label directions.
Sure, I read package insert, listen to experts like Dr. Bates; ask him questions in person; and then apply what I have learned in the very specific place and time that have to apply them. If I miss the “optimum window” due to weather I know what Dr. Bates would say as I’ve heard him say it. What would YOU say?
G.
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What a bizarre hill to fight over…
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@Guilherme this IS a weird fight to pick. All I am saying is that my extension office has advised to use crossbow if spraying after bloom, and that 2,4-D will not be effective. This is certainly not an uncommon sentiment on this board or from the experts at large, as the links I shared earlier demonstrate. It seems you agree, if you’re using Crossbow. And I don’t understand why you’re making such a stand that 2,4-D is working just fine to kill your buttercups after bloom if you’re actually using Crossbow on them.
I don’t really see the point in spraying herbicide that is not effective. Cost, pollution, etc, etc.
I wasn’t looking at G…
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If your Extension Office said this then they are WRONG. The package insert will demonstrate that.
I am a big supported or the Extension system but they are human like anyone one else and I’ve seen some LULU’s from Extension. But what they told you is flat, dead WRONG.
G.
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Okay, then show me why. Because I’ve read the package insert and don’t see it.
You’ve also participated in several threads where it’s been stated that buttercups have to be sprayed before bloom, and haven’t picked this fight. 🤷
I haven’t “picked a fight” at all. You made an incorrect statement. If Extension told you that spraying after bloom is ineffective they are, at best, telling you a half truth.
First, will 2,4,d Ester work on Buttercups? Yes. Here’s a package insert. Look at page 3, at the bottom, under “Perennial Weeds.”
http://www.cdms.net/ldat/ld40K000.pdf
How and when to use:
http://utbfc.utk.edu/Content%20Folde…tions/W323.pdf
These folks say spray in late bloom:
https://books.google.com/books?id=RR…0bloom&f=false
For Optimum results:
For chemical control, herbicides registered for use on grass pastures that contain 2,4-D will effectively control buttercup. Depending on other weeds present products that contain dicamba+2,4-D (eg. Weedmaster), aminopyralid (eg. ForeFront, Milestone), triclopyr (eg. PastureGard, Crossbow), or metsulfuron (eg. Cimarron) can also be used. However, legumes such as clovers interseeded with grass pastures can be severely injured or killed by these herbicide products. For optimum results apply a herbicide in the early spring (February - March) before flowers are observed, when buttercup plants are still small and actively growing. For best herbicide activity wait until daytime air temperatures is greater than 50 F for two to three consecutive days. Consult the herbicide label for further information on grazing restrictions, precautions, or other possible limitations.
[URL=“https://grazer.ca.uky.edu/content/buttercups-grazed-pastures”]https://grazer.ca.uky.edu/content/buttercups-grazed-pastures
And:
In cases where pasture productivity is adequate and buttercup is still a problem, chemical control can be a useful tool. The best time to spray buttercup is March to early April, before it blooms but once the average daytime temperature is at least 60 degrees. According to University of Maryland guidelines, 80-100% control of buttercup can be achieved with herbicide combinations containing 2,4-D. Dicamba herbicides, like Banvel and Clarity, are equally effective when applied at a rate of 1.0 pounds active ingredient per acre. There are several other commercial herbicides that have 80-100% control of buttercup: Crossbow (2,4-D and triclopyr), Forefront (2,4-D and aminopyralid), Milestone (aminopyralid), and Surmount (picloram and fluroxypyr) are a few.
https://extension.umd.edu/learn/cont…ercup-pastures
Everyone agrees earlier is better (and for some “earlier” is October). Few say it’s the ONLY time.
G.
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Buttercups are typically an indication of acidic soil. Get out there and lime your paddocks/pastures, and watch them disappear!
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Yes, I linked many of these documents earlier in the thread, @Guilherme. They all say it should be sprayed early 
Yes, I’ve also turned up that it can be sprayed very effectively in the late fall. Here’s a good document about that. Maybe a more effective option for you, since you said you could get into your pasture in October, and spraying after bloom doesn’t seem to be working to eradicate it?
https://extension.tennessee.edu/Smit…%20Control.pdf
Here is a nice chart detailing herbicide effectiveness. 2,4-D, optimal conditions, 85%. Crossbow, Grazeon, optimal conditions, 100%. Yes, I can see why Crossbow is recommended around here for “suboptimal” conditions. (Here’s a link if it’s not readable.) This is from UPenn’s Agronomy Guide, excellent resource. (If anyone is interested in more of this chart, happy to share! Not sure it’s online, my extension office sent me this doc.)
”‹”‹”‹”‹”‹”‹”‹
BTW, I emailed Dr Bates, since you think my extension office is such a “LULU” (thanks for the name calling!) He said to spray late Oct/Nov for buttercups and that spraying now would do little. Good to note for the TN area people who haven’t been able to get started yet. Apparently your buttercups are dying already, on their way out for the summer.
Also worth noting, I think, that 2,4-D is limited to 2 x 2qt/acre applications a year. So for those who want to adhere to that, it might be tough if you spray 2 quarts/acre now, and 2 quarts/acre in summer or early fall, and then want to spray again in late fall for buttercup. No idea what you do, G, but again–worth noting, for those who may not be familiar with that limitation.
I’m just very grateful that I was able to sneak in (with 2,4-D ;)) before bloom last year! Effectiveness was right about at 85%–mostly gone, some yellow–and between a little spot spraying with Crossbow and a little hand pulling, there is no more buttercup in my field. Very cool how it can go away in a year’s time.
So, I want to thank everyone for suggestions and the help! My first time back visiting the thread. I saw the amount of responses and I was AMAZED! (Lots of my threads/questions just never seem to rate a large amount of attention) So, please allow my laughter at myself when I realized it was more because of the ring side seats. HA! gotta love me some COTH. yeah. I know timing if not perfect. and it takes better planning and the best time of attack. but! here to learn to do better, and also what I can do now. will definitely re read, and take notes. I do want to do something that I fully understand NOW that I know I can still put them out on as soon as possible…and I guess I’ll start there. I don’t want to spray and then use my spreader to spread manure that will be toxic however. 
Dr. Bates is consistent. And we agree. Early spraying is better than late spraying? I don’t know what more need be said.
”‹”‹”‹”‹”‹”‹”‹G.
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Agreed. We went south for the winter this past season and when we got home we had 2 months of monsoons, so were behind on our pasture maintenance. Put down the 2-4-D and boom! Buh bye buttercups. Nasty things. I was so happy to see them gone!
Dr Bates says is it too late to spray anything. Plan for October/November 
@ayrabz Crossbow has the same 100% effectiveness on Buttercups as Grazeon but does not persist in manure. Contact your extension office on timing ðŸ‘
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I just sprayed Crossbow on a field of blooming buttercups and everything that was sprayed is dying off. Off course the couple passes I missed are very much bright yellow!
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Speaking of rain and tn valley area, @ayrabz & @Guilherme have you 2 looked at the weather? Gorgeous n 84 today and then thunderstorms and rain thru the next week and a half. All day everyday. I’m skipping trying to respray today and just mowing and harrowing my field that my two have been on for 2 weeks. At least the field will get plenty of rain while it rests n regrows!!
Welcome to the TN Valley in Spring!!! It’s a great place to try out different types of rain gear. Except in Aug-Nov when you can try out sunscreen. 
If you can get done what needs to be just before a spring rain event you’re almost always advised to do so. And plan “stay inside” events for a few days!
But don’t ever cuss the rain. In 1948-49 there was a near two year drought that destroyed horse/mule based agriculture. It was cheaper to buy and operate a tractor than is was to pay for hay brought in by rail. As bad as the last two years have been with excess rain it will, eventually, make its way to the Gulf. If it doesn’t rain, then you have much worse problems…
G.
If you compost your manure and use it in gardens, don’t use Grazon. It will contaminate the manure and kill anything you put the compost in.
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I am confused…Is October/November really spring, before blooming? Those months are mentioned more than once by one poster as being optimal time but then they say spring before bloom. I know they are not in Australia or such.
There have been several articles that describe late fall spraying linked in this thread. Here’s one of them.
https://extension.tennessee.edu/Smit…%20Control.pdf
Buttercups can be sprayed in early spring, before bloom, or in late fall
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