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Noxious Weed Control in Pasture and Range

By Paul O. Johnson
 
Noxious weed control in pastures is becoming more of a challenge. Most ground commercial spray businesses are no longer spraying pastures. If they are, there may be restrictions on the time they will spray, what products they will spray, or they may only spray if they also have all of the rest of your spraying business. These restrictions are making spraying pastures more difficult and limited. It is still the law, however, to control noxious weeds. Not being able to find a commercial sprayer is not a valid reason not to spray.
 
With the warm temperatures this spring pasture spraying will be starting very soon for biennial thistle and wormwood sage. Canada thistle is still small as of May 1, as is spurge, however watch closely as we are still ahead of normal this season.  
 
Before pasture spraying is in full force, now is the time to be looking into finding an applicator that will do pastures. There are some boomless sprayers that are in the market that can work well. Most of these sprayers use more water per acre than other sprayers, and they do not work well under windy conditions. If you have not sprayed in the past you will need to take a test to get your Private Pesticide Applicator certification to allow you to spray.
 
The law states anyone who has a farm that has the potential to gross more than $1000 of income from their farm is required to have this certification to apply any pesticide to their property, whether or not they are restricted use pesticides. 
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CEOs of the Industry – Rob Brenneman, CEO of Brenneman Pork

Video: CEOs of the Industry – Rob Brenneman, CEO of Brenneman Pork

“From Pork Production to Performance Nutrition: A Candid Conversation with One of the Industry’s Most Unconventional Thinkers”

CEOs of the Industry, we sit down with Rob Brenneman, the visionary behind Brenneman Pork, for an unfiltered, in-depth conversation on leadership, survivability, nutrition, and the future of pig farming.

Rob shares how a deep-rooted commitment to **health—both animal and personal—**drives his philosophy and decision-making. From reshaping pork nutrition and advocating for the return of well-marbled, flavorful pork to confronting the ongoing battle with PRRS and other health threats, Rob’s insights reflect decades of hands-on experience and bold innovation.

Key themes include: Nutrition Reimagined: Why the industry went off course—and how Brenneman Pork is leading change by prioritizing gut health, fat quality, and real performance.

Health & Survivability: Rob’s take on biosecurity, disease management, and the systems and protocols that protect both pigs and profitability.

Well-Marbled Pork as Premium Protein: The science, consumer insights, and culinary feedback behind Rob’s mission to reintroduce pork as a premium, flavorful protein.

Sustainability & Farm Culture: How Brenneman Pork balances environmental responsibility with day-to-day positivity and resilience.

Generational Impact: Strategies to attract, inspire, and retain the next wave of pork producers with pride and purpose.

Plus, a fast-paced finale where Rob shares his top pork pick, leadership lessons, and what he’d change overnight in the industry.

Whether you're a producer, nutritionist, policymaker, or future leader, this episode offers a masterclass in where pork production is headed—and how visionaries like Rob are shaping it.