"238 acres, certified organic since 1992, we raise wheat, soybeans, oats, hay, spelt, rye, and buckwheat. Crop rotation follows organic standards. We have Highland Angus cross cattle, grass fed, free range. There are 38 cows in our cow/calf operation. We also have milk goats and chickens (for eggs, not meat). Our weed control consists of planting after weeds have emerged and been disked under; mechanical cultivation; hand pulling; and we are trying to get rid of a Canada Thistle problem with Rye."



Trails End Organic Farm is an integrated crops livestock farm.

Production approach: Certified Organic
Rotations: Hay (multiple years), soybean, oats (or other small grain)
Cover crops: Clover, native cover
IPM used: None
Tillage: Chisel, disk
Soil amendment program: manure (composted), winter grazing
Soil tests: Click HERE.

Field was visited 5/7/09. Soils were wet. Thick and extensive patches of Canada thistle were observed on the farm. Areas will be chosen for the project. Farmer may try three different treatments: 1) the recommended methods (see below), 2) timely tillage and planting of a different cover crop species, 3) pastured hogs. The following plan was reviewed with Greg:

1. Till multiple times. A small rototiller will be used 2-3x starting as soon as conditions allow.

2. Plant sudan grass (and another cover). Seed will be located and sudan grass will be planted in early June at a recommended rate of 55 lbs/acres in area tilled. [also, a separate area will be marked off for hogs to be penned to observe the impact on thistle.]

3. Mow sudan (and other cover) at 4-6'. All covers will be mowed just as thistles are starting to flower. Sudan should be at least 4' tall.

4. Sudan will be mowed again. A second mowing will prevent any thistle from flowering and help build up a thick layer of biomass to smother thistle.

5. All covers will be tilled under in Fall or following Spring.

On Trails End Farm, Greg Morse planted sudangrass was planted June 11. The thistle was chisel plowed and tilled 2-3 times during the two weeks prior to the planting. Sudangrass was mowed August 3. The farm was visited on August 18th. A few small, stunted thistle sprouts were observed. Timely tillage and sudangrass cover appears to have suppressed thistle in this patch. Greg indicated he might use the system to suppress Canada thistle in other areas on the farm.



Follow up contact will be made next Spring to determine measure of thistle sprouting in the treated area.

No brix reading was taken on this farm.