Though it's not a crisis situation, it is a prevalent one reported by AgriLife Extension agents in many counties in the last few weeks.

East Texas still has ryegrass pastures, and henbit, chickweed and Texas groundsel, all winter annuals, are the most common weeds, she said. As soil temperatures rise, there will be more warm-season weeds such as thistles and wooly croton.

While many producers may suspect the unusually wet winter and spring to be behind the flush of weeds, the most likely cause, particularly when it comes to improved pastures, is a poor fertility program, Corriher said.

Lower than optimum fertility – cutting back on fertilizers such as nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus – means the improved forages such as Bermuda grass are less able to compete with weeds.

But high costs of fertilizers and the poor economy have forced many producers to cut back on their fertility programs, in some cases eliminating one of the primary nutrients altogether, Corriher said.

"Soil-test recommendations are no higher than necessary to maintain optimum yields and a persistent stand," she said. "However, if one must cut back, do so uniformly. If the recommendation is for nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium, be sure to apply each in the same proportion, even if you have to do so at a reduced rate. Just don't apply nitrogen alone."

This is because all the nutrients are interdependent, she said. Applying one or two without the others will likely mean the ones that are applied won't be effective, she said.

As for control of existing weeds, the options are mechanical or chemical control, she said.

"Proper use of a herbicide can be more economical than mowing or shredding," she said. "According to an AgriLife Extension study by Dr. Greg Clary (AgriLife Extension economist) and Dr. Larry Redmon (AgriLife Extension agronomist), producers can save about $3.70 an acre with the proper use of a herbicide control."

Corriher noted the comparison study was made using a 40-horsepower tractor with either a 6-foot rotary mower or a 30-foot boom sprayer applying GrazonNext at one quart per acre.

Other general broadleaf weed control options beside GrazonNext include 2,4-D, Grazon P+D, Cimarrons (Plus, Max, Extra), RangeStar and Chaparral.

Corriher cautioned that when using herbicides, producers should follow label directions for application rate, timing of application, grazing restrictions, and cleanup and disposal.

And sometimes there is a third option for weed control: cattle. Sometimes the perceived weed is not a weed at all from the point of view of livestock, she said.

"Many producers hate to see crabgrass in their pastures or hay meadows," she said. "But in terms of nutrition, it can be on par with coastal Bermuda grass."

For proper identification of weed species, Corriher recommended producers consult with the AgriLife Extension office in their county.

Producers often call or e-mail Corriher with information about a weed they've found, but even when there's a picture included in the e-mail, it's not the most efficient means of identifying it. Mailing an actual weed sample doesn't work well either, because by the sample has arrived, it is most often too deteriorated to be of any use for identification, she said.

"In most cases, the county agent will be able to identify the weed and (quickly) recommend control measures for all but the odd-ball weeds," she said.

Contact information for the AgriLife Extension office in any county can be found online at http://county-tx.tamu.edu/ .