Ragwort in meadow

Matty6270

Hi there. I have a grazing field that has to long go grass to put cattle to. It would be a waste. So I am going to cut it the next good day comes. Problem is that there is ragwort growing in it. It hasn't flowered yet. It has just d small green leaves on it. It this ok for silage
Thanks

_Brian

I'd say it be best pull it if ya can. I wouldn't like it in silage.

greysides

Matty6270 wrote: »

. It this ok for silage

No!

You can certainly chance at your own risk but no one can tell you it's safe. All parts of the plant are poisonous.

Alibaba

Go around and pull it if you can.

Maybe get a couple of helpers if there's a lot there.

I wouldn't like to take the chance with it anyway.

50HX

Alibaba wrote: »

Go around and pull it if you can.

Maybe get a couple of helpers if there's a lot there.

I wouldn't like to take the chance with it anyway.

Take it from experience and wait if you can til the ground gets softer, after the recent fine weather you'll hardly be able to pull the root out

don't let into silage

bogman_bass

Get yer gloves on sunshine!

Jaysus Christ

Nothing quiet like pulling ragworts out of a big field after a spell of dry weather in June/July. Bliss.

theaceofspies

A lot easer to pull ragwort than the dreaded docks:)

whelan2

_Brian wrote: »

I'd say it be best pull it if ya can. I wouldn't like it in silage.

Did you buy some fork thing years ago for pulling ragworth?

Bscan86

Def pull dem!!!!! Not worth the risk of poisoning animals

limo_100

If someone sprayed a meadow with ragwort how long would you have to wait to cut it?

MickeyShtyles

whelan2 wrote: »

Did you buy some fork thing years ago for pulling ragworth?

There's a yoke alright.

MickeyShtyles

whelan2 wrote: »

Did you buy some fork thing years ago for pulling ragworth?

This yoke!

whelan2

limo_100 wrote: »

If someone sprayed a meadow with ragwort how long would you have to wait to cut it?

They would still be in the meadow though even if dead. They won't disappear. If in silage they would be preserved. Spray in spring or autumn

limo_100

whelan2 wrote: »

They would still be in the meadow though even if dead. They won't disappear. If in silage they would be preserved. Spray in spring or autumn

but in the Autumn there starting to die away and there not in the rosette stage?

whelan2

limo_100 wrote: »

but in the Autumn there starting to die away and there not in the rosette stage?

I never sprayed them in the autumn always the spring but advisors say autumn or spring

limo_100

whelan2 wrote: »

I never sprayed them in the autumn always the spring but advisors say autumn or spring

Around the 15 mar to the 15 apr is it? You must have yours well banished at this stage, Should I pull mind of the hay meadow so or should I spray them and pull them to 2-3 weeks? Its a glas hay meadow that wasn't mowed in years

Ashill5

I thought you couldn't spray Ragwort, Rushes, etc under Glas or am I wrong.

limo_100

Ashill5 wrote: »

I thought you couldn't spray Ragwort, Rushes, etc under Glas or am I wrong.

you cant shhhh!!!!! but I dont want to poison cattle either

bullnuts

Ashill5 wrote: »

I thought you couldn't spray Ragwort, Rushes, etc under Glas or am I wrong.

You can still weedlick

_Brian

whelan2 wrote: »

Did you buy some fork thing years ago for pulling ragworth?

Nope, we spot sprayed them with roundup over two years, hand pulled a few too. Have them 99% gone now thank god.

whelan2

Actually saw a cow eating a ragworth this morning as it stands in the ground :eek:

_Brian

whelan2 wrote: »

Actually saw a cow eating a ragworth this morning as it stands in the ground :eek:

But it's not poisonous until it's dead a few days, unless I have that wrong. Never seen one eaten before though.

whelan2

_Brian wrote: »

But it's not poisonous until it's dead a few days, unless I have that wrong. Never seen one eaten before though.

afaik its posisonous , end of, its that it becomes palatable when dying

Cherry Blossom

It's still poisonous when it's still growing, it's just more appetizing to animals after its cut or pulled a few days.

bullnuts

_Brian wrote: »

But it's not poisonous until it's dead a few days, unless I have that wrong. Never seen one eaten before though.

It's more palatable when dying ! Is poisonous

_Brian

Ahh yes, that's it. Horrible stuff !!

monseiur

Not wishing to hi-jack your thread, but is there a specific week killer for Ragworth that will not kill grass etc. Roundup seem to burn everything !
I have a very heavy infestation so complete spraying is necessary.
Thanks,
M.

croot

monseiur wrote: »

No wishing to hi-jack your thread, but is there a specific week killer for Ragworth that will not kill grass etc. Roundup seem to burn everything !
I have a very infestation so complete spraying is necessary.
Thanks,
M.

MCPA will kill it at the rosette stage. Needs spraying two years running to give a good clear out. Not for use in a knapsack though.

whelan2

Why dont sheep die of ragworth posioning?

Kovu

whelan2 wrote: »

Why dont sheep die of ragworth posioning?

Because sheep are far more inventive with ways to die than boring old ragwort poisoning!

whelan2

Kovu wrote: »

Because sheep are far more inventive with ways to die than boring old ragwort poisoning!

I used to think it was because sheep dont live as long but ewews can live for a good few years

Kovu

whelan2 wrote: »

I used to think it was because sheep dont live as long but ewews can live for a good few years

Isn't ragwort poisoning something to do with copper being stored in the liver or accumulating there? Seeing as sheep are the animals that eat ragwort and are quite susceptible to copper poisoning, there could be some link there.
Or I could be talking sh1te. Again. :pac:

_Brian

croot wrote: »

MCPA will kill it at the rosette stage. Needs spraying two years running to give a good clear out. Not for use in a knapsack though.

I've used it in nap sack, am I doomed ?

Capercaillie

whelan2 wrote: »

Why dont sheep die of ragworth posioning?

The alkaloid toxin has no effect on their liver

ganmo

_Brian wrote: »

I've used it in nap sack, am I doomed ?

To the same hell as me

greysides

Sheep are affected by Ragwort Poisoning just not as susceptible as cattle.

croot

_Brian wrote: »

I've used it in nap sack, am I doomed ?

Yes I'm afraid you are. May the Lord have mercy on your soul.....and a nap sack is a sleeping bag.

stantheman1979

whelan2 wrote: »

Why dont sheep die of ragworth posioning?

Because they die of everything else. A sheep doesnt need an excuse to die for no reason. They would break you're heart at times

Sillycave

Sorry to re-open thread but have a few fields with ragworth, docks and thistles growing and want to spray them.
Field 1 - Silage field that has docks coming in it after cutting and some dandelions
Field 2 - Grazing field with bits of all three growing, have topped low but coming back again
Field 3 - Grazing mostly but sometimes used for silage, again all three growing but docks rive in it this year

First question is what should i use for all three fields, was going to use forefront T but it says "Do not use Forefront T on fields to be cut for silage, hay or haylage unless it’s after the last cut", is the last cut in reference to this year or last cut from that particular field for a longer time i.e. will i be able to use the same field for silage next year?

Second question is am i too late to be spraying for ragworth, docks or thistle's?

Won't be spraying until weather allows

Sorry for long winded question

Capercaillie

Ragworth control in my meadows. Cinnabar moths eating up the ragworth

End result:

tanko

Are Ferns/Bracken any harm if blaled in silage?

Water John

Ferns/Bracken damage the kidneys AFAIK. Don't see why being in a bale would lessen their toxicity.

tanko

Water John wrote: »

Ferns/Bracken damage the kidneys AFAIK. Don't see why being in a bale would lessen their toxicity.

I have some ferns on the outfarm and saw a few cows happily munching away on them recently. Is it not just at certain times of the year that they're harmful if eaten?

Water John

I don't know but I used to have a certain part of the farm that had it. Caused a few losses with grazing until I got rid of it.

tanko

Water John wrote: »

I don't know but I used to have a certain part of the farm that had it. Caused a few losses with grazing until I got rid of it.

Are you saying eating ferns killed some of your animals? How did you get rid of the ferns?

Water John

Hymac.

Icelandicseige

monseiur wrote: »

Not wishing to hi-jack your thread, but is there a specific week killer for Ragworth that will not kill grass etc. Roundup seem to burn everything !
I have a very heavy infestation so complete spraying is necessary.
Thanks,
M.

Pick it! I had 1 field that was terrible with Ragwort. I spent a hour and half picking it and throwing it in to a trailer. Have had no problem since and it cost my noting ha

Water John

I have done my few acres in the past, Iceland. Big infestation needs spray or sheep.

TITANIUM.

monseiur wrote: »

Not wishing to hi-jack your thread, but is there a specific week killer for Ragworth that will not kill grass etc. Roundup seem to burn everything !
I have a very heavy infestation so complete spraying is necessary.
Thanks,
M.

Forefront T Will sort the problem for you.