#2002211 - 07/21/10 01:39 PM
Re: iron weeds
[Re: BSK]
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Quailman
8 Point
Registered: 08/04/03
Posts: 1329
Loc: Winchester, TN
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Quailman,
Do you see much Vernonia in your area? I generally only see it in TN in the counties that border KY. I see it a lot in KY.
BSK, yes, I actually see a lot of it in middle TN. Most commonly in idle or poorly-managed pastures, but in other areas from time to time. I haven't seen as much of it in west TN, but that area seems to be within the range of this species. There are some other Vernonia spp. that occur here but are fairly uncommon in TN, with even one spp. being considered rare because it only occurs within a 5 or 6 county area.
I've never thought of ironweed as being a preferred browse species, because even livestock won't touch it. I do wonder if Mr. Big is seeing the deer eating goldenrod, which would make sense. It is a preferred species, has similar plant characteristics as ironweed (leaves, stems), and is growing everywhere right now. It just hasn't flowered yet.
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#2002217 - 07/21/10 01:43 PM
Re: iron weeds
[Re: Quailman]
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megalomaniac
10 Point
Registered: 10/28/05
Posts: 4887
Loc: Mississippi
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Ironweed is very common on our farms in middle TN. Redwing blackbirds love to nest in it in the early summer. Deer LOVE it on my farms, especially when it's young and tender in late spring and a couple of weeks after each hay cutting. I've never seen them prefer the mature plant (once its past flowering), but I wouldn't be surprised. They'll also hammer it in the short fescue fields during the winter, selectively picking it with the other forbs out from the fescue.
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#2002273 - 07/21/10 02:14 PM
Re: iron weeds
[Re: megalomaniac]
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BSK
Jerkasourous of the non-typical kind
Non-Typical
Registered: 03/11/99
Posts: 59548
Loc: Nashville, TN
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I'm going to have to start looking at the old pastures here in southern Davidson County.
No it is not preferred by deer. Towards the bottom of the preference list. In fact, browse on ironweed is often considered a marker of overpopulation/food resource limitations.
_________________________
"Know where you stand, and stand there" --Jesuit Father Daniel Berrigan
"There is no reasoning someone out of a position he has not reasoned himself into." --Clive James
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#2002399 - 07/21/10 03:43 PM
Re: iron weeds
[Re: BSK]
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mr.big
Non-Typical
Registered: 01/03/01
Posts: 27931
Loc: Copper Head Road
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Are you in KY mr.big? I ask because ironweed is not common in TN, but is found in KY.
no Jackson/Smith Co line in Tn,,my wife has my camera at camp or I would post a pic,,it favors the plant in the link above but it is just one stem about 18 inches high with 5-6 leaves and a top in it,,it is not big enough to be forked off any or have any limbs or branches,,hay was cut 3 weeks ago or so and the weeds are just starting to come in it,,I usually wait till the first of August and run the bushhog across it raised up high enough to not mow any grass and then wait about 2 weeks and turn the cows on it,
I call them iron weeds just because thats what Grandpa and all the oldtimers always called them
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Tndeer`s resident poacher and desperate loser
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#2002402 - 07/21/10 03:46 PM
Re: iron weeds
[Re: Wes Parrish]
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mr.big
Non-Typical
Registered: 01/03/01
Posts: 27931
Loc: Copper Head Road
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In fact, browse on ironweed is often considered a marker of overpopulation/food resource limitations. Maybe it's sometimes just a marker of poor soils? 
no doubt the dirt has a lot of clay in it and needs limed,,but money is tight and we just try and make enough hay to get our cows by,,there is no money in farming,,if you did everything that needed done right you would be in the red quick.
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Tndeer`s resident poacher and desperate loser
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#2002660 - 07/21/10 07:18 PM
Re: iron weeds
[Re: mr.big]
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rbreedi1
10 Point
Registered: 08/21/08
Posts: 2687
Loc: Dayton, TN
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Its is pretty common around here
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