Whether a pasture provides forage for beef cattle, dairy cattle, sheep, goats or horses, a good pasture management program will enhance the productivity and health of the animal. The negative impact of weeds in pastures is one management factor that can be difficult to quantify. Although it may be hard to measure, weeds in pastures are undesirable because of their competition with forages, often poor nutritional quality and potential for toxicity. Pasture rotation, stocking rates, seeding/planting timing, fertility, mowing practices and herbicide use all affect weed populations and species present. Herbicides are commonly used in pastures to control broadleaves (including thistles) and woody species (PennState Extension, 2001). Herbicide use often draws attention and many questions, so a deeper dive into this particular weed control strategy may provide beneficial information to help make better, more informed decisions this spring.