Torpedograss Slowly Attacking the Panhandle

 

Tordpedograss (Panicum reopens) is one of the most concerning weeds in Florida, and has become a significant weed problem in the Panhandle. This weed’s favorite habitat is in or near ponds and ditches, but will spread across lawns, turf fields, and pastures.

 

A native grass of both Africa and Asia, torpedograss was introduced through seed in the U.S in the late 1800’s as a forage crop for livestock. Torpedograss is in the family Poaceae, along with other grasses such as the persistent invasive threat, cogongrass, as well as common bermudagrass. Torpedograss gets its name from the sharply pointed tips. Not only is it exceptionally fast spreading, it can grow as tall as 3 feet. Torpedograss seed typically has poor germination, so in our climate it primarily relies on rhizome expansion.

 

Torpedograss has tendencies to choke out and completely take over native vegetation. Agronomist have been concerned with torpedograss for years in South Florida. In 1950, (Hodges and Jones) the University of Florida agricultural experimental station warned: “Torpedograss is a serious weed when established in farm or grove land and indiscriminate planting without the regard to future crops or adjoining land is dangerous.”

 

So, what is the impact of torpedograss on Florida? Since 1992, torpedograss has taken over 70% of Florida’s public waterways. Lake Okeechobee is considered ground zero with approximately 7,000 acres of native marsh now displaced. These dense matts of grass can impede water flow in stormwater applications and restrict usage of irrigation holding ponds.

 

 

Infestation prevention can be accomplished by controlling the rhizome expansion. This is easier said than done, as a small rhizome fragment left behind will no doubt cause re-establishment. Keeping the infestation at bay, by controlling the spread at waterways is key.

 

 

For cultural management, invasive plants tend to quickly establish in open or recently tilled areas. So, prescribed burns. land clearing, and mowing are methods that tend to promote infestations. A healthy, diverse landscape with native or species with non-invasive tendencies will provide a level of defense. Mechanical control is not very effective. Tilling the land only spreads the rhizomes through fragmentation. There are few biological controls, although cattle and goats will graze it, they may also help spread the grass. Glyphosate (Roundup, etc.) at a 2-3% solution, and imazapyr (Arsenal, Chopper or Habitat) at 0.5 to 1 % solution are effective. A non-ionic surfactant is needed to ensure the chemical sticks to the narrow leaves. Keep in mind, these herbicides are systemic, meaning they are absorbed and move through out the plant tissue. Be sure to minimize over spray damage of desirable plants, especially related to drift. Imazapyr also provides soil activity, which is good for controlling this pest. However, this chemical will injur or kil desirable hardwood tree species such as live oaks.  Torpedograss is much more difficult to treat in or around water, and generally requires multiple applications to completely control.

 

Video: From Conventional to Regenerative: Will Groeneveld’s Journey Back to the Land

"You realize you've got a pretty finite number of years to do this. If you ever want to try something new, you better do it."

That mindset helped Will Groeneveld take a bold turn on his Alberta grain farm. A lifelong farmer, Will had never heard of regenerative agriculture until 2018, when he attended a seminar by Kevin Elmy that shifted his worldview. What began as curiosity quickly turned into a deep exploration of how biology—not just chemistry—shapes the health of our soils, crops and ecosystems.

In this video, Will candidly reflects on his family’s farming history, how the operation evolved from a traditional mixed farm to grain-only, and how the desire to improve the land pushed him to invite livestock back into the rotation—without owning a single cow.

Today, through creative partnerships and a commitment to the five principles of regenerative agriculture, Will is reintroducing diversity, building soil health and extending living roots in the ground for as much of the year as possible. Whether it’s through intercropping, zero tillage (which he’s practiced since the 1980s) or managing forage for visiting cattle, Will’s approach is a testament to continuous learning and a willingness to challenge old norms.

Will is a participant in the Regenerative Agriculture Lab (RAL), a social innovation process bringing together producers, researchers, retailers and others to co-create a resilient regenerative agriculture system in Alberta. His story highlights both the potential and humility required to farm with nature, not against it.