Plan now to achieve good dock control

UK - May 22, 2012

Docks in silage fields are taking advantage of recent rain and warming conditions to leap into vigorous and active growth. Spraying with a translocated herbicide such as Doxstar two weeks after first cut, will offer farmers the best chance this year of getting on top of dense dock populations.

“Docks reduce the amount of grass that grows and lessens its nutritional value in the clamp, so it pays to do a good job of controlling them,” says Dow AgroSciences grassland specialist David Roberts.

“Spraying two weeks after the silage has been harvested is ideal, as the weeds are at the same growth stage and all bear healthy young leaves ready to take up the active ingredients. These make their way into the plant’s internal transport system and go right down into the long tap roots, killing the entire plant from within.”

Mr Roberts advises that as the grass sward will be relatively short at this stage, water volumes of 300 litres/ha will be enough to ensure adequate coverage of the weed leaves. Then to leave at least three weeks before second cut so the spray has enough time to do a complete job.

Doxstar is very safe to grass and will not hold back regrowth after application, so yields will not be compromised.

“While between cut treatments are ideal for controlling difficult dock infestations it is easy to miss the window of opportunity for spraying,” says Mr Roberts. “It is important to think ahead and make sure the job is planned in, or the contractor booked for the right week.”