New growth of rushes - what to do

KatyMac

Got about 14 acres sprayed last autumn as the rushes were getting away on me. I topped the new growth this spring once things started to dry out. Now have about 50/50 grass/rush growing. So, my question is what do I do now?? Would it be any good cutting the grass/rush mixture and baling it. Would cattle eat it?
Have a contractor coming next week to open drains which should do wonders for the field, so I'm hoping next year it will look a lot better.

Conmaicne Mara

Great time for a weedlicker, once the rushes get a bit higher than the grass you can wipe them without harming the grass.

_Brian

Your right con.
Graze it first and the rushes will be easy picking for the licker.

Farmer Pudsey

Spray again MCPA is not a very sevear spray on grass and is not expensive at about 10/acre. It will also keep grass clean of weeds and will keep docks under control

onyerbikepat

Have you fertiliser spread. Keeping the land well fertilised helps too, I think.

Robson99

Farmer Pudsey wrote: »

Spray again MCPA is not a very sevear spray on grass and is not expensive at about 10/acre. It will also keep grass clean of weeds and will keep docks under control

FP do you find MCPA good for docks. Much cheaper than Doxstar if it works

_Brian

Robson99 wrote: »

FP do you find MCPA good for docks. Much cheaper than Doxstar if it works

I asked about this in the store when I was buying.. They said it would kill this years growth but not the root so you'll have the same problem next year.

Farmer Pudsey

Robson99 wrote: »

FP do you find MCPA good for docks. Much cheaper than Doxstar if it works

Did not know that docstar killed rushes. Yest it gives a good kill however unless you fix the issue(usually drainage) you have to spray every year or every second year. Using a Activator is critical

GrandSoftDay

Conmaicne Mara wrote: »

Great time for a weedlicker, once the rushes get a bit higher than the grass you can wipe them without harming the grass.

I spent that day licking yesterday, more grass in the place than I thought. I'm afraid it might not be a pretty sight in a few weeks.

Charliebull

if the rushes are light bale them, the cows will eat them, spray the next regrowth with mortone and ferilize it

Robson99

Farmer Pudsey wrote: »

Did not know that docstar killed rushes. Yest it gives a good kill however unless you fix the issue(usually drainage) you have to spray every year or every second year. Using a Activator is critical

I didnt say anything about Rushes FP. I was on about Docks

Farmer Pudsey

Robson99 wrote: »

FP do you find MCPA good for docks. Much cheaper than Doxstar if it works

Robson99 wrote: »

I didnt say anything about Rushes FP. I was on about Docks

Sorry missread your post, will not permantly kill docks but if using MCPA with a an activator for a few few years on rushes it will give very good control of docks and other broadleave weeds. You should have a very clean sward.

tanko

Farmer Pudsey wrote: »

Sorry missread your post, will not permantly kill docks but if using MCPA with a an activator for a few few years on rushes it will give very good control of docks and other broadleave weeds. You should have a very clean sward.

What is an activator?

Farmer Pudsey

tanko wrote: »

What is an activator?

Also known as a sticker or adhesive it is an mixing agent that softens the wax coating on leaves. It is very important if spraying rushes as due to leaf shape and vertical aspect of plant it is hard for spray to stay on leaf. The atvivator softens wax on leaf and this uses the plants own protective coating to hold the weedkiller in place

Conmaicne Mara

tanko wrote: »

What is an activator?

Adjuvant is the right term I think? Something like Torpedo from magentadirect.ie

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agricultural_spray_adjuvant