Clean up fields and improve silage quality

UK - June 20, 2006

Silage quality will be lower this year because many first cuts have been delayed due to poor weather in May. While there will be quantity there is now a greater need to maintain quality for second and third cuts, according to David Pettitt of the Kingshay Farming Trust.

"Another downside of a late first cut is that dock weeds have got more firmly established, and some have already seeded. Combine this with many farmers spreading slurry on silage aftermaths and we could see a high risk of weeds spreading," he says.

"Farmers need to be vigilant and check their silage fields. Docks grow quickly and strongly at this time of year. There should be an opportunity to control weeds two to three weeks after first cut, which is the ideal time to catch docks at the right stage of growth. And if you miss this time around you can also spray after second cut, providing there is still active growth."

At spraying, docks must be actively growing and at the rosette stage, which is 150-250mm (6-10ins) high or across - that is about the size of a dinner plate - without a seed head showing. Spraying at this time with a fully-translocated herbicide like Doxstar will enable the herbicide to penetrate down to the deep roots of established docks.  After spraying you should leave 28 days before taking second cut silage.

Target your weeds and use the right spray for the job, do not use a broad-spectrum herbicide when you only need one for docks. That way you will save money, advises Vaughn Stansfield, grassland agronomist with Dow AgroSciences, manufacturer of Doxstar.