sunflower field question

[Take 'em]

What are my options? Planted a sunflower field later than we expected this spring due to field being too wet and other problems. Sunflowers are headed out and doing fine but field was not worked/sprayed correctly and grass is going to be a major problem. Field was planted by broadcasting, not row planted. Only options I would think I would have after spraying Gramoxone and bush hogging is a.)control burn the field or b.)disc it to get rid of the dead grass and stalks but then would lose majority of the seed I would guess. Any other ideas to get rid of all the grass that is going to be dead to provide some somewhat clean dirt/ground?

[Northbigmuddy]

I wouldn't get too worried about it. Gramoxone won't kill it especially if its thick. Gonna need some clethodim product or roundup to really get it. The Gramoxone will make it all kinds of angry but ill be back. I'd just mow it real close to the ground and go about your hunt. Get some wheat and chum em up.

[Wingman]

I will advise to read the MSU Extension Service guidelines about wheat application as it pertains to soil prep, application rates and dates.

As far as the grass, I echo NBM about mowing low and slow. Chop it up really good.

[dukmisr2005]

Just wait til closer to season and dry it up with some sodium chlorate. Then mow it low and slow like they said just leave a few strips to hide in and for later mowing.

[SWAG]

If it is just grass that is your major problem, why not spray it right now with a grass herbicide???

[Northbigmuddy]

[Take 'em]

Guess I should have been more specific. It's grass and weed problems. Have sprayed it 2 seperate times with Clethodium and it worked great the first time, not so great last time. Probably due to more weeds than grass now

[Wingman]

Some of those weeds could be excellent dove food, especially goatweed or pigweed.

[JaMak84]

I vote fire, but I am a little bit of a pyro. Sodium Chlorate + match = scorched earth. Like throwing out birdseed in a parking lot. Pray for some wind between the burn and the hunt or you'll leaves the field looking like buckwheat.

[Take 'em]

[Northbigmuddy]

It will crisp everything up pretty quick. Hot dry conditions are ideal. As long as you get a few hours after application the rain should not cause to much trouble as long as the weather doesn't turn off cool and wet for several days after you apply. I would imagine your biggest concern with rain would be after you bush hog. Once the seeds are on the ground a good rain will germinate them and you'll be up the creek. The heads drying out shouldn't be a huge concern. They are either mature or not. If they are mature then the sodium chlorate with crisp em up and speed things up a bit, but it can't force maturity. If you go out before they are mature you'll just kill the plant and be stuck with whatever youve got.

[JaMak84]

[Take 'em]

Thanks for the help and info guys