Imox (Raptor) is actually not as expensive as it seems, since the dosage rate per acre is only 4 oz. At $300 a gallon that's only $10 an acre. I'd advise to mow and spray right away, then do it again in late spring. Imox works slowly but because of the residual effect in the soil it's killing a lot more weeds than most people realize, even a month after they apply it. Fall often has a different set of problem weeds than the early summer, so alternating application times will be more effective in giving a broader spectrum of coverage.
Welcome to the forum, and you are even about the same age as I am.
Imazethapyr is Thunder or Pursuit, and Imazamox is Imox, Raptor or Clearcast, these two are in the same chemical family, and work about the same way. The reasons I lean towards Thunder is it's a little cheaper and actually kills a few more broadleaf weeds, 120 for Thunder vs. 113 for Imox, but Thunder kills a few less grasses. Raptor has a shorter soil life approximately half of Pursuit, both herbicides enter the soil and can last for months. Raptor is attractive for being able to plant brassica type plots sooner. But I don't know why someone would apply these expensive herbicides at all if they're planning to transition to another crop outside of clover, alfalfa, or chicory.
Imox is labeled for smartweed, you might have had a failed application? I'm not a big fan of Butyrac 200 Herbicide (24DB Herbicide), but it does kill some weeds very well that other things don't, it is cheap and is labelled for smartweed (knotweed) maybe hit it with a heavier dose of Butyrac 200, also for non herbicide control, frequent mowing helps remove the tops of smartweed before it can go into seed.
That's why I suggested Butyrac 200, you don't need to worry about using too much Imox in 1 year.
I swear you are the encyclopedia of herbicides, Mennoniteman. Always read with interest. My Imox spraying did kill most smart weed. Also did quite well on sedges. And I really like how it aggravated thistle, tho in the one plot didn't make it go away completely. And I know it will return most likely. First time spraying perennial plots in a while, not much a chemical person.
Be careful in following my food plot recommendations, I know just enough to be dangerous.
Most of my plots are perennial white clovers, some with alfalfa, and/or chicory mixed in. I do disagree with ph thinking tho. And by rotation, Im not speaking of your needs, but those that wrestle with unwanted weeds and grasses overtaking their plots. A few years rotation of the LC variety cures most of that problem.
I really think that we have about the same philosophy on food plots, we just differ on when we deal with weeds in our clover. I find that maintaining a Monoculture clover plot is easier for me, and you find that maintaining a Polyculture clover is easier for you.
If your weeds are less than 3", spray; if not, mow and wait until spring.
The weeds need to be young and 3" or less to get a good kill. Spray rate is only 4 oz/acre for the chicory, and up to 6 oz/acre for alfalfa/clover. Keep in mind future plot rotation intervals. Following a Raptor spraying, no corn planting for 8.5 months, and no planting root crops (turnips, brassicas) for 18 months.
