Cleaning up Silage fields

Ursulal

Hi all,

We have two meadows that have become very dirty in recent years with rushes and docks. I guess all the wet summers have played a part because they are generally dry fields. Obviously we can't keep cutting these fields for much longer as it's affecting the quality of the silage.

What's the best course of action to take right now in cleaning them up? Will we have to forgoe using these meadows for awhile during this process?

Thanks in advance.

Reggie.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058227036/cleaning-up-silage-fields

You could spray the meadows

Ursulal

Yes, but with what exactly? Forefont t round up? Best time to do it? Etc

Mooooo

Take a soil sample before any slurry goes out. If there is rushes there prob is a few drainage issues to sort as well.

Spray any weeds if need be but if very bad a reseed might be needed.

Ursulal

It's funny they were reseeded a good few years ago and ever since every sort of a weed has appeared in it!

Jb1989

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118449131#Comment_118449131

Mcpa for the rushes,,,

and

forefront t, docstar, hurler, lots of others for the docks.

Ideally you'd want to spray a young rush, when growth starts to go well, April, May time.

Docks, when they have a nice big leaf, but not when gone to seed.

Doc spray won't do anything for the rushes,

But mcpa will do a bit of all.

You probly want to spray both individually, but if you didn't, a heavy mcpa spray would kill the rushes, and would slightly stunt the docks.

Give the docks a good spray then when they appear after first cut silage.

Crops will be down due to the spray, but will at least be cleaner.

Also you could 'weed lick' the rushes, with round up, but would take 2 runs over the year to clean it properly.

memorystick

I graze sheep on the silage ground in the winter. Weed numbers are going way down.

White Clover

Lime will help greatly too. Will aid drainage and reduce rushes.