FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Forefront

Aminopyralid is one of the active ingredients found in Forefront* and Forefront T. It provides farmers with excellent control of weeds in grassland - including docks, nettles and thistles. There are some restrictions on the label concerning following crops and manure that do need to be followed.

Aminopyralid is readily absorbed by many plants, including grass, where it binds to a number of cellular structures. When the plant tissues decay, aminopyralid is released and broken down by soil microbes. Any susceptible plants present at the time of decay of plant tissues may be affected.

There are some new approvals for Pastor, Doxstar, Grazon 90 and Thistlex. What does this mean for their use this year?
What crops can be drilled in a field following an application of Forefront* or Forefront T?
When can fodder beet be planted?
What about the manure/compost/slurry from animals fed on grass (silage, hay, grazed grass) that has been treated with aminopyralid?
How long does it take for manure/slurry to break down?
What about bales of hay or silage that have spoiled, making them no longer suitable for feeding to livestock?
Can farmers sell manure/compost/slurry from animals fed on aminopyralid-treated grass/hay/silage?
Why has Forefront been developed, when the current Dow AgroSciences grassland herbicides are so good?
Why is Forefront better than any other herbicide in grassland?
Must Forefront be used at 2.0 l/ha?
If Forefront is so good, is it necessary to spray the same field the following year?
Will any Dow AgroSciences product control ragwort in horse paddocks?
Will Doxstar*, Forefront* or Pastor* control large flowering docks?
Will Grazon* 90 control chickweed?
Will Grazon* 90 control cow parsley?
What water volumes do I need to control docks in established grassland with Doxstar*?
What is the knapsack rate for Doxstar*, Forefront*, Pastor* and Thistlex*?
What rate of Grazon* 90 should be applied through a knapsack ?
Which Dow AgroSciences products can I use through a weed wiper?
Can Doxstar*, Forefront*, Pastor*, Thistlex* or Grazon* 90 be used on new leys (<12 months old)?
Can I use Grazon* 90 on my lawn?
What is the stock exclusion period for horses?
How rainfast is Grazon* 90?
Can Doxstar*, Forefront*, Pastor*, Thistlex* or Grazon* 90 be tank mixed with MCPA or 2,4-D?

There are some new approvals for Pastor, Doxstar, Grazon 90 and Thistlex. What does this mean for their use this year?

All four products will be available for use this year with the same label as last year.

There should be no impact then on how you choose to use these products this year or where you carry stock over in to next year.

New approvals will be introduced next year. They will be essentially the same products but with slightly amended labels. We will share more detail on that when they become available.

Please contact your local Dow AgroSciences’ Hotline on 0800 689 8899 for latest update.

What crops can be drilled in a field following an application of Forefront* or Forefront T?

Ensure the sward has been destroyed and the land ploughed (at least 3-4 months before drilling crops other than grass or wheat)

After one month - only grass or wheat can be planted
After four months - cereals, OSR, maize, grass/clover mix (stitched in) or clover (stitched in) can be planted
In the calendar year following an application - only cereals, OSR, maize, grass/clover mix (stitched in) or clover (stitched in) can be planted
In the second calendar year following an application - cereals, OSR, maize, grass/clover mix (stitched in) or clover (stitched in), peas, beans and other legumes, sugar beet, vegetables** and potatoes can all be planted

** Not including field brassicae; these can be drilled after 4 months.

When can fodder beet be planted?

The same applies as to sugar beet - wait until the second calendar year following an application before drilling.

What about the manure/compost/slurry from animals fed on grass (silage, hay, grazed grass) that has been treated with aminopyralid?

The manure/slurry can be spread on:
- Grazing or cutting grass
- Stubbles intended for cereals
- Land intended for maize
We advise this is NOT spread on ground intended for sensitive crops*** (including fodder beet) unless sufficient time can be allowed for the manure/slurry to be broken down

*** Sensitive crops include: peas, beans and other legumes; sugar beet and fodder beet; carrots and umbelliferae; potatoes and tomatoes; lettuce and other compositae.

How long does it take for manure/slurry to break down?

This will be dependent upon many different factors such as soil type, temperature, aeration of the soil, compaction etc. Therefore, it is impossible to give a timescale as each situation will be different. Ensure that all plant remains have completely decayed before planting sensitive crops.

What about bales of hay or silage that have spoiled, making them no longer suitable for feeding to livestock?

They should be considered as compost/manure - and spread on grass, before cereals, etc. as explained above

Can farmers sell manure/compost/slurry from animals fed on aminopyralid-treated grass/hay/silage?

It can be sold to farmers who may wish to use it for grass, stubbles intended for cereals or land intended for maize
They should not sell it to farmers or the general public for use on sensitive crops*** nor for garden use

*** Sensitive crops include: peas, beans and other legumes; sugar beet and fodder beet; carrots and umbelliferae; potatoes and tomatoes; lettuce and other compositae.

Why has Forefront been developed, when the current Dow AgroSciences grassland herbicides are so good?

Forefront is even better, than all existing herbicides available to UK grassland farmers.

No other product controls important grassland weeds as effectively, or for as long, as Forefront.

Why is Forefront better than any other herbicide in grassland?

Best long-term weed control - benefits still apparent up to 18 months after application
Broad spectrum - controls all main problem grassland weeds
Stock exclusion period of only 7 days - easier management of stocking densities
Cutting and grazing interval of only 7 days - allows optimal use of hay and silage swards
Only one application per year - removes need to budget for and plan further applications in same year
Rapid activity on target weeds - early removal of weeds maximises grass yield

Must Forefront be used at 2.0 l/ha?

Yes. Applications at anything less than the recommended rate is likely to lead to disappointing results. The use of lower dose rates leads to lower performance, both in initial levels of weed control and in long-term control. Dow AgroSciences only support the label application rate of 2.0 l/ha.

If Forefront is so good, is it necessary to spray the same field the following year?

With the very high levels of control that can be achieved 18 months after applying Forefront, it is very possible that the same field will not need re-treating the following year. However, if initial weed populations are particularly high or further weed emergence occurs after application, treatment may be needed the following year. Also, if the first application of Forefront is made to weeds at the wrong growth stage or during poor weather conditions, treatment may be needed the following year.

Will any Dow AgroSciences product control ragwort in horse paddocks?

No Dow AgroSciences product is recommended for control of ragwort in horse paddocks. The best method of control is to dig them up. 2,4-D can be used as an overall spray.

Will Doxstar, Forefront or Pastor* control large flowering docks?

No. They must be topped and allowed to regrow. Treatments should then be made under good growing conditions to actively growing plants when they reach the rosette stage. See Critical Success Factors.

Will Grazon* 90 control chickweed?

No, but Doxstar*, Forefront* and Pastor* all give excellent control when applied under the correct conditions.

Will Grazon* 90 control cow parsley?

Yes, at 4.0 l/ha before flowering. Repeat applications may be needed.

What water volumes do I need to control docks in established grassland with Doxstar*?

Whenever Doxstar* is used in established grassland the rate of water should always be 300-400 l/ha. See Critical Success Factors.

What is the knapsack rate for Doxstar, Forefront, Pastor* and Thistlex*?

These products are not recommended for application through a knapsack. Grazon* 90 at 60ml in 10 litres of water is the best product for spot treatment.

What rate of Grazon* 90 should be applied through a knapsack ?

60ml of Grazon* 90 in 10 litres water.

Which Dow AgroSciences products can I use through a weed wiper?

There is an Extension of Authorisation for use of Grazon* 90 and Dow Shield^† 400 through weed wipers. Contact CRD for details.

Can Doxstar, Forefront, Pastor, Thistlex or Grazon* 90 be used on new leys (<12 months old)?

Doxstar and Pastor can be used on new leys once they have reached the 3 true leaf stage. For seedling dock and chickweed control use either Doxstar at 1.5 l/ha or Pastor at 2.0 l/ha. Forefront, Thistlex and Grazon 90 should not be applied to new sown leys.

Can I use Grazon* 90 on my lawn?

No. Grazon* 90 is a professional product recommended for use only as an agricultural herbicide.

What is the stock exclusion period for horses?

The same as for livestock: 7 days and until foliage of any poisonous weeds such as ragwort has died and become unpalatable.

How rainfast is Grazon* 90?

If Grazon* 90 is applied to a dry leaf it will be rainfast in 2 hours.

Can Doxstar, Forefront, Pastor, Thistlex or Grazon* 90 be tank mixed with MCPA or 2,4-D?

This approach is not recommended and is not supported by Dow AgroSciences. Quick 'burn down' of top growth with phenoxy herbicides can hinder movement of the translocated active ingredients in Doxstar*, Forefront*, Pastor*, Thistlex* and Grazon* 90 to the roots, leading to poor levels of weed control.