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Grassland Weed Control on Dairy Farms

May 11, 2020

Olwen Gormley, CAFRE Senior Dairy Adviser and David Patterson, AFBI Grassland Agronomist

The presence of broadleaved weeds in grassland will limit grass yield and quality.  Docks and chickweed are nutrient loving weeds, thriving in more intensively managed swards.  Other weeds such as dandelion, thistle, rushes and ragwort can also cause problems. It is important to control weed species in grassland swards as they compete for nutrients and space, reduce quantity and quality of the grass and hinder silage fermentation.  The main weed species that dairy farmers repeatedly try to control in swards is dock and this article will cover methods of keeping the dock population at a low level. The same principles will apply to other common weeds.

Dock Control

Reducing dock infestation by 20% will provide an additional 0.3 tonnes of grass dry matter per hectare. Where dock-infested swards are ensiled, their high nitrogen content adversely hampers a good fermentation, leading to a high pH silage that spoils quickly when opened and depresses intake. Dock seeds can also survive in silage and pass through the cow, infesting a field when slurry is spread.

The best defence against perennial broad-leaved weeds is to prevent them establishing in the first place. This can be achieved by having a well-managed, dense sward, growing in well-structured, non-compacted soil. Over or under-grazed leys that have been poached offer perfect conditions for weed seeds to germinate. Topping or mowing weed plants provides short-term visual satisfaction but stimulates active regrowth, so the problem gets worse not better.

The long-term solution for controlling persistent weeds in grassland is to use modern systemic herbicides. A well-timed treatment with an appropriate herbicide can transform a weed dominated pasture into a productive ley, without the need for costly reseeding. Dairy farmers may have to be more pro-active this year as weeds have generally survived the mild winter and favourable spring weather. Where clover is present, it is advisable to use recommended clover-safe herbicides.

tractor-spraying-fertiliser

 

Spraying – how and when to apply herbicides?
Leaf growth stage

To achieve maximum chemical uptake the majority of docks should be at the large rosette stage.  This is when there is the maximum leaf surface area on the dock (ideally covering an area at least the size of a dinner plate) but before the seed stem starts to appear.  This stage is easiest to obtain in the spring or autumn when the dock is in the vegetative stage of its growth cycle and most translocation of chemical within the plant is downward into the root.  Once the dock starts to shoot, most of the translocation then tends to be upward in the plant to support the rapid seed stalk growth. Since the chemical moves by translocation within the plant, little moves at this time to the root and therefore control of the root will be very poor.

To ensure good translocation of chemical into the root the dock needs to be actively growing.  See attached photo illustrating the optimum stage to spray the dock.

Spray application

Follow the spraying guidelines:
1 Use 2 to 3 bar pressure.
2 For water volume, generally around 115-135 litres per acre (25 to 30 gallons per acre). Please adhere to individual product manufacturer’s instructions.
3 Aim for a medium spray for better plant coverage.
4 Aim to spray in early morning or later evening – when no direct sunlight is prevalent especially in warm weather as this improves chemical uptake and reduces the likelihood of scorching.

Timing of spraying

For a sequence of applications the best timings would be spring (mid-April to June) and then a follow-up spray on any regrowth in the autumn (late August-September) or following spring.  No dock spray will give complete control with a single application and effective dock control requires a programmed approach. Follow-up applications will be necessary to deal with docks and germinating seed docks not controlled in the first treatment. Long term control can only be achieved using a sequence of applications of a translocated herbicide because of the potential of regrowth both from roots and the seed bank built up in the ground over the years.

If seed stalks are seen on the plant or if the dock has diseased leaves or is under pest attack, it is then better to cut/top or graze and allow re-growth of docks before applying chemical.  Allow adequate time, generally 3 – 4 weeks (depends on individual products – always check the label) between spraying and cutting for silage. This will allow for effective herbicide translocation to the roots of the dock plants and achieve maximum effect.

Recent research has shown that longer term (up to 5 years) control of docks can be achieved by applying a suitable herbicide onto small docks shortly after reseeding.  By applying the herbicide at this stage of the docks development, facilitates almost complete elimination of the docks.  Docks that emerge in the following years rarely establish due to competition from the grass.

Docks-in-grass

Spray the docks at correct stage of growth.

Spring Reseeds

Dr David Patterson, AFBI Agronomist, advises that ‘for a spring reseed it is essential to control broad-leaved and grass weeds prior to sowing and sowing in late spring is preferable as germination and growth is improved when soil temperatures are above 10oC’.  Prior to reseeding the old sward should be sprayed with a glyphosate herbicide to kill all broad leaved weeds (e.g. docks, chickweed, thistles) as well as weed grasses (e.g. scutch, creeping bent, meadowgrass). If weed grasses such as scutch are present in the old sward and are not killed, they can quickly re-establish in the young reseed.  If planning to reseed later this spring, silage and grazing fields can be sprayed typically 7-10 days before harvesting – check the specific product safety label instructions. If using minimum cultivation more broad leaved weeds may establish in the young sward, which will require a post emergence spray. A broad spectrum spray will remove chickweed, docks and thistles and should be sprayed six to eight weeks after reseeding when there are three leaves on the grass plant. The product choice will depend on the presence of clover and the main weeds present. This will help to control weeds preventing dock infestations re-occurring. Other broad leaved weeds such as redshank and chickweed can be controlled by grazing or close topping if dispersed throughout the sward (i.e. not in dense clumps).

Product Summary Table

The table below gives details on some chemical options for weed control:

ProductChemicalComment
Eagle 

Squire Ultra

AmidosulfuronControls both broad leaf and curled docks.  No effect on clover.
Forefront TTriclopyr AminopyralidControls docks – Apply at rosette stage.  Also controls a wide range of weeds including thistles, nettles, ragwort. Cannot be used on grass intended for silage.
Doxstar ProTriclopyr + FluroxypyrPredominantly used for dock control but also covers a good range of weeds.  Apply four weeks pre-cutting silage.
StaraneFluroxypyrControls Dandelions, nettles and established docks
Lupo 

CloverMax

2,4-DB + MCPAControls ragwort, rushes, thistles, buttercup, nettle, broadleaf and curled docks
ThrustDicamba + 2,4-DRagwort, broadleaf and curled docks, buttercup, nettles, thistle.
ThistleX 

Grazon Pro

Clopyralid + TriclopyrControls mainly creeping and spear thistle. Grazon Pro controls nettles, docks and thistles.
AgritoxMCPAGood spectrum of weeds including ragwort, rushes, buttercup.
LeystarClopyralid, florasulam and fluroxypyrWide weed spectrum including chickweed, seedling docks and thistles and good grass safety when used on new sown leys
Roundup 

Gallup

GlyphosateNon-selective herbicide – kills all plants it comes into contact with.
Spraying Regulations

Comprehensive advice on all aspects of using pesticides is contained in the DAERA Code of Practice for Plant Protection Products. The Code explains how to use plant protection products safely and so meet the legal conditions which cover their use.

If you or a contractor are applying pesticides, you are responsible for ensuring the person applying pesticide on your land has the necessary certificate of competence. This is a legal requirement under the Plant Protection Products (Sustainable Use) Regulations 2012. Training, assessment and certification are available from a range of providers including CAFRE. If you are interested in a course contact CAFRE Industry Training on 028 9442 6880 or through the attached web link PESTICIDE TRAINING COURSE.

The assessment for the certification must be completed by an assessor who is approved by either City and Guilds or Lantra. eg. PA1 Principle of safe handling and application of Pesticides, PA2 Boom Sprayer and/or PA6 Hand held application.

All boom sprayers over 3m width have to have a certificate of pesticide application, in the case of a new sprayer this will be before its 5th anniversary and then currently every 5 years thereafter. The National Sprayer Testing Scheme (NSTS) is currently the only officially-designated provider for certification of pesticide application equipment in the UK.

It is also the responsibility of all farmers and contractors to understand the pesticide label and ensure they use pesticides at the correct rate and method.
Remember to keep proper records as you can be asked for these at a cross compliance inspection.

Discuss all aspects of weed control with the local CAFRE Dairy Development Adviser. Remember to keep safe when carrying out spraying operations on your farm. During the present coronavirus pandemic, if you have to get a qualified spraying contractor in, be very careful to keep a distance from each other while managing the spraying.

Summary
1. Weeds can reduce grass yields and quality.
2. Apply sprays at the correct growth stage and at the correct rate.
3. Control following a reseed will offer longer results.
4. Keep a record of chemicals used.
5. Spraying should only be carried out by a qualified operator (either yourself or a contractor) using certified equipment.
6. Safety when using chemicals is of the utmost importance.
7. Keep safe by social distancing during spraying management.