Latest news with #WhelehanCropProtection
Agriland
09-06-2025
- General
- Agriland
Simplifying weed control in newly sown leys with clover
Controlling weeds in newly sown leys containing clover has become easier thanks to ProClova XL, the herbicide manufactured by Corteva Agriscience. ProClova XL's two active ingredients – Rinskor and amidosulfuron – provide the widest spectrum of weed control in newly sown leys. When pastures are being reseeded, it is critical that they are promptly sprayed with a post-emergence spray following reseeding to eliminate weeds, allowing both the grass and clover to establish. Chris Maughan, technical manager with Whelehan Crop Protection, distributors of ProClova XL in Ireland, said: 'The ideal timing for ProClova XL is about six to eight weeks after reseeding.' 'The grass should be at the tillering stage with three trifoliate leaves on the clover at the time of application and the weeds should be small and actively growing, and this ensures that they are eliminated out of the sward early and prevents them from smothering out the grass.' Weed control According to Maughan: 'ProClova XL controls a wide range of weeds including chickweed, docks, and other annual weeds including fat-hen, red dead nettle, redshank, and fumitory. 'Chickweed, if not controlled, can totally smother out the grass. If these fields are not sprayed, the chickweed will continue to flourish, killing out the grass seedlings which then allows other weeds such as docks, thistles and buttercups to germinate. 'The end result will be a very poor pasture and a wasted investment.' Maughan also highlighted the damage docks can wreak on a new reseed. 'Killing docks at the seedling stage is vital. This ensures total kill and prevent the docks from establishing a deep taproot,' he said. Chickweed can be devastating to a new reseed ProClova XL is the product of choice when addressing chickweed, according to Chris Maughan of Whelehan Crop Protection The above images illustrate the damage that chickweed can inflict on a reseeded paddock. The first picture (left) shows an area left unsprayed. The following year, (centre) dead chickweed is visible where it has smothered out the grass with perennial weeds including docks and thistle beginning to germinate within the bare patches. Two years on, (right) one can see the docks are now well-established. Temperature and timing is everything It is important to apply ProClova XL during periods of active growth to get the best weed control. For optimal results, spray when night temperatures are forecast to be above 8℃ for a minimum of three days before and after the planned application date. Available in a twin pack ProClova XL is available in a box containing two bottles – ProClova and XL. The ProClova bottle contains the herbicides, Rinskor and amidosulfuron, while the XL bottle contains an adjuvant oil that improves the reliability of weed control while providing maximum safety to both the grass and clover. The area to the right was sprayed with ProClova XL in April 2022 before silage was cut. The picture on the left was then taken a few weeks later following a cut of silage. ProClova XL Factfile Use from April to October in new leys Rate In newly sown leys: 85grms + 165mls/ha (one pack treats 3ha) In established grass or where ground cover is greater than 90%, use the higher rate 125grms + 250mls/ha (one pack to 2ha) Controls key weeds including docks, chickweed, fat-hen, redshanks, and red dead nettle In established grassland, it also controls dandelions, buttercups, plantains, cow parsley, and hogweeds. Rainfast in 1 hour. Livestock should be kept off for seven days post-treatment (in the absence of ragwort). Use from the tillering stage of the grass and when the clover has three trifoliate leaves present. Clover safety: A transitory effect (leaf deformation/growth inhibition) may be seen following application, but full recovery will follow after two/three grazings. Red clover: When used on grass leys containing red clover, ProClova XL should be applied in the year after establishment – so reseeds sown last autumn containing red clover can be sprayed this spring. Established grassland: ProClova XL can also be used on established grassland where clover preservation is key. it provides the highest level of dock control available in clover swards. It is also effective on other weeds like dandelions, buttercups, plantains, hogweeds and cow parsley. For optimum control, spray actively growing weeds at the correct growth stage, 8-10cm across and at the rosette stage. If weeds have grown beyond the correct growth stage, top them and spray regrowth with ProClova XL. Best practice advice Apply ProClova XL with at least 75% drift reducing nozzles. Do not apply ProClova XL to fields where an intersecting watercourse is present (i.e., where the land parcel slopes towards a watercourse and any surface water run-off would drain into that watercourse). When spraying fields, respect an unsprayed buffer zone to watercourses of 3m.
Agriland
26-04-2025
- Science
- Agriland
Eradicating docks effectively before first-cut silage
Over the past two years – due to the wet, late spring weather – the opportunity to control docks in silage ground has proven difficult. However, this year's earlier spring offers farmers the opportunity to control dock-infested silage swards over the next couple of weeks. Where docks prove problematic in fields closed for first-cut silage, there are sizeable advantages in getting rid of them before the silage is cut. And when it comes to product selection, nothing beats DoxstarPro, the specialist translocated herbicide for docks, distributed by Whelehan Crop Protection. Even a moderate infestation of docks will cut dry matter yield by at least a tonne per acre, significantly impairing the quality of pit and baled silage. As well as boosting both yield and quality, a pre-harvest application of DoxstarPro will also ensure a clean, productive sward for a second cut of silage or grazing. Containing two powerful actives – triclopyr and fluroxypyr – DoxstarPro delivers the most effective kill of the dock root system, which can be up to a metre deep. It is also highly effective on dandelions and chickweed. The ideal time to spray is two to four weeks after nitrogen is applied, when docks are at the perfect stage for an effective kill. The optimum results are achieved when docks are actively growing, are 15-25cm (6-10in) high or across and before a seed head appears. When the plant starts to produce seeds, more nutrients are translocated up the plant. Therefore, less chemical is taken down to the roots, which leads to a reduction in long term control. The key requirement is to wait a minimum of three weeks after DoxstarPro is applied before cutting the silage. This ensures that the chemicals get fully translocated into the root system, which is vital in achieving long-term control Docks compete with grass for light, nutrients, and moisture, thus reducing grass yields. They have only 65% of the feed value of good grass and are generally unpalatable to livestock. Docks are a long-term problem and therefore require a long-term solution. As well as reducing yield, docks can lead to a decline in silage quality through poorer fermentation. In addition, dock stems inflict serious damage to the quality of baled silage through puncturing of the film. The benefits of eliminating docks and other weeds before silage is cut are unquestionable. In addition to higher dry matter yield and better quality, it will also ensure a clean, productive sward for subsequent grazing or a second silage cut. That's why farmers should choose DoxstarPro. DoxstarPro DoxstarPro contains two powerful actives, triclopyr and fluroxypyr; It works powerfully on docks and is highly effective on chickweed and dandelions; Best results are achieved when docks are actively growing, are 15-25cm (6-10in) high or across and before a seed head appears; Leave at least three weeks between spraying and silage harvesting; DoxstarPro should be applied at a rate of 2L/ha as a single application or two applications of 1L/ha six to 12 months apart. Tackling chickweed Chickweed. Image source: TP Whelehan Common chickweed seems to be a growing problem in silage and grazing swards. It appears to be a particular problem in swards that were tightly grazed. This results in chickweed seeds being disturbed. The seeds germinated during the autumn and continued to grow during the relatively mild winter and spring. Where chickweed is the dominant weed in a silage sward, Envy – a herbicide for broad-leaved weed control in grassland – is the product of choice. Mouse-eared chickweed is also a problem, particularly in recently re-seeded swards. It differs from common chickweed as it contains many tiny hairs on the leaves, which can prevent the spray droplets reaching the plant leaf cuticle. Because of the combination of active ingredients and its formulation type, Envy is particularly effective on mouse-eared chickweed. Proclova XL: a dock controlling solution ProClova XL is a clover-safe herbicide which kills key weeds in established grassland enabling farmers to build and preserve clover populations for lengthier periods; Where clover needs to be retained, Proclova XL offers a solution to controlling docks; Use at 125gr/ha + 250ml/ha (1 pack = 2 hectares). Again the ideal timing is when docks are 15-25cm high or across and in the rosette stage, and ensure there is active growth; Proclova XL also controls buttercups, dandelions, plantains, and hogweeds in grassland.
