Land improvements - ragwort

stephenmc16

Having trouble with ragwort on growing on a few fields. Last year we pulled them from the root in a few fields and disposed of them but they came back this year and maybe worse.. Any ideas how to get rid of them?

whelan2

It's a two year plant. So hopefully next year you'll see improvements

raindodger

whelan2 wrote: »

It's a two year plant. So hopefully next year you'll see improvements

does that mean if spraying you have to do it two years in a row

whelan2

raindodger wrote: »

does that mean if spraying you have to do it two years in a row

yup

stephenmc16

So do you top them after you spray and how long do you have to leave them for after spraying?

dohc turbo2

U spray them in the rosette stage and keep cattle away for 21 days I think

Water John

You spray in Nov or March. Once it starts growing vigorously, spray won't kill it.
Something like D50.

patsy_mccabe

Pulling does take a few years to completely eradicate. Seeds will linger in the ground for a number of years. I just pull them when I'm herding the cattle. A few each day.

raindodger

Water John wrote: »

You spray in Nov or March. Once it starts growing vigorously, spray won't kill it.
Something like D50.

if you spray in nov is it just taken in by the dead plant , topping the bas erds at the moment.
also if you spray in nov then the following march will that cover the two year cycle

stephenmc16

raindodger wrote: »

if you spray in nov is it just taken in by the dead plant , topping the bas erds at the moment.
also if you spray in nov then the following march will that cover the two year cycle

So no good spraying in November ? Any experience spraying in November vs March?

whelan2

you have to be careful that there are plants there to be sprayed and that there's no frost forecast as it will hamper the kill

Attie

Ragwort is poisonous in the green and preserved state and has been responsible for many
animal fatalities. Normally animals do not eat ragwort in pastures unless grazing is
extremely restricted while research suggests that an animal must consume up to 12 % of
the animal’s body weight to cause problems. However where ragwort is present within finely chopped silage; animals are forced to eat it causing most fatalities. It
becomes more palatable to animals when cut or sprayed, as it releases sugars.
Any control strategy should be based on the fact that Ragwort is a biennial (lives for 2
years) and also that just because you killed it with a spray does not mean it cannot harm
livestock. Small numbers of ragwort can be effectively pulled or dug up and safely
removed. For larger numbers, sprays such as MCPA, 2, 4-D, Dicamba, Thrust and Forefront
provide good control but measures must be taken to avoid stock eating any dying or dead
ragwort present. Best time to spray ragwort is before the flower stem elongates. Take
note that the larger the ragwort the longer it takes for the carcase to rot down and not be cut in silage
Taken of Teagasc published papers.

Water John

Well Nov or March is what is recommended. At the rosette stage, it takes the chemical in via the leaves down to the roots, systemic action.

Unlike most other plants, the chemical doesn't get taken in and down to the roots, when the plant is actively growing.

Topping the ragwort, is more risky then simply letting it grow, once it's actively growing. The dying plant is more palatable than the growing plant.

50HX

as its a 2year plant if you picked off the yellow head with the seeds is that plant then dead forever or does it start it's 2 year cycle again?

J.O. Farmer

50HX wrote: »

as its a 2year plant if you picked off the yellow head with the seeds is that plant then dead forever or does it start it's 2 year cycle again?

The plant only flowers and goes to seed in its second year so that plant will be gone.
That plant will die regardless after 2 years but you'll prevent it spreading it's seed.

50HX

J.O. Farmer wrote: »

The plant only flowers and goes to seed in its second year so that plant will be gone.
That plant will die regardless after 2 years but you'll prevent it spreading it's seed.

that's what i thought

spent a few hours the other evening just picking off the heads of em and the aul lad was roarin at me sayin i should be pullin em

whelan2

50HX wrote: »

that's what i thought

spent a few hours the other evening just picking off the heads of em and the aul lad was roarin at me sayin i should be pullin em

Have to pull the root and all pure bollox of a job. Dispose of them away from cattle

Water John

Will keep a close eye on what I sprayed last April. Will watch to see are there new rosettes. Its lovely to see the field clean.

50HX

whelan2 wrote: »

Have to pull the root and all pure bollox of a job. Dispose of them away from cattle

did 3 acres last year with pullin by the root

is there any real need if i just break off the heads with the seeds and bag em up

where is the advantage of pullin the roots if they die after 2 years anyway or am i missing some thing else??

whelan2

50HX wrote: »

did 3 acres last year with pullin by the root

is there any real need if i just break off the heads with the seeds and bag em up

where is the advantage of pullin the roots if they die after 2 years anyway or am i missing some thing else??

If you dont get the roots they will grow back, bigger and thicker.

jfh

no need to be pulling them, just get a few sheep:D

I said

Declared war on the bastards the last two years.Only have a few this year that I'd pull when out counting.

50HX

whelan2 wrote: »

If you dont get the roots they will grow back, bigger and thicker.

i.m confused Ted

does it die off after 2 years or not??

emaherx

50HX wrote: »

i.m confused Ted

does it die off after 2 years or not??

Plants that are cut will grow back.....
But not sure about just pulling the heads.