However, once the heads are present, the barbed awns can cause serious problems. Livestock and game animals generally avoid the grass at this stage. If it is eaten, the awns can lodge in the mucous membranes in the mouth and nose. This concern is especially true for horses that have soft mucous membranes in the mouth. The eyes also can be subject to injury from the awns.
Infested hay can be a threat to animals, because the awns remain a problem even after harvesting.
The economic impact of an infestation in a high quality pasture or hay field can be substantial. A secondary concern is the awns lodging in wool, hair and clothing. An integrated management approach is the best means of controlling any weed infestation. The general control methods are cultural, mechanical, biological, and chemical. The site and environment of the infestation dictates what combinations of controls can be implemented properly and safely.