is there a cheaper alternative to roundup? something that works as good?

Yep, go to Tractor Supply, they have a generic brand, 2 1/2 gallons was $50 last year, if my memory is correct...I also sawgeneric 2-4-D, today, $14.95 a gallon...

what about like ortho brand or something, i don't have a tractor supply in my area

bump

Roundup and the stuff at Tractor Supply is more of a concentrate...Ortho isn't...so you end up paying more...

How big of an area are you trying to treat?

Here in OK i have had good luck using nothing. Our place has big bluestem grass. No Johnson grass or Bermuda on the place. Little weed problem. We plant the wheat and oats verythickly by broadcasting after the bluestem is dormant and it works out very well. Will soon plant cowpeas and grain sorghum-milo. The peas will climb up the milo plants and make a thick cover that will smother outmost weeds thatare there.

somewhere i read a homebrew recipe for weed killer. it used water, salt, liquid dish soap and something else. i can't remember the mix ratio but i'm pretty sure i read about it on here. try doing a thread search.

buy generic glyphosate from a co-op or grain elevator

Psaandhu is correct go to a coop and buy glyphosate. A couple of brands at our coop are Buccaneer and Cornerstone and the price is 1/3 of what Roundup is and it is the same thing. There are tons of alternatives other than these brands out there, you just have to go and ask. Not TSC though, it is still expensive their. There brand is Gordons Big and Tuff.