The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Smallholding => Land Management => Topic started by: AndynJ on June 04, 2014, 03:27:06 pm
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Can someone recommend a product that I can spray (not spot spray) the whole field with.
Thanks
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http://www.progreen.co.uk/weed-killers/selectively-control-weeds-in-grass/weedkillers-for-paddocks/cat_28.html (http://www.progreen.co.uk/weed-killers/selectively-control-weeds-in-grass/weedkillers-for-paddocks/cat_28.html)
I am using Thrust in a knapsack sprayer, or if you do not have much glyphosate but it will kill the grass around as well
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Thanks
Is it working well ?
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If you're looking at doing a complete field, then glyphosate.
Be warned though, if your intention is to plough and reseed, you could well disturb ragwort seed that in effect, has lain dormant for years. Once the ground is disturbed, these seeds may suddenly burst forth and bloom.
New individual rosettes can be successfully treated with Barrier H.
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barrier h was really expensive when we used it. we use clinic ace diluted but it kills the grass leaving buried seeds to grow without competition.
has anyone used a dye to add to the weedkiller? im thinking of using a weepwipe but im wondering if there is a backpack adapter.
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Hi All
Why use chemicals?
Why not use a ragwort fork, a pair of gloves and a wheelbarrow. Dig the blighters up, dry them out and burn them before they can set seed.
Minimal disturbance to soil, no dead grass, peaceful couple of hours out in the fields.
I spent happy hours on our local riding school's fields "pulling the ragwort"
SV
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Hi All
Why use chemicals?
Why not use a ragwort fork, a pair of gloves and a wheelbarrow. Dig the blighters up, dry them out and burn them before they can set seed.
Minimal disturbance to soil, no dead grass, peaceful couple of hours out in the fields.
I spent happy hours on our local riding school's fields "pulling the ragwort"
SV
Flippin heck, like we haven't got a million and one jobs to do, I'd guess 500 plants, some of them are getting flower heads on so I have started pulling the larger ones up, have a couple of sacks lying around so throw them in there ready for the fire.
By the time I go and fetch some weedkiller I could probably pull 50% of them.
May lose a lb or two as well.
Could invite people round for cider and ragwort pulling :excited:
Anyone up for cider & ragwort Friday night, South Devon :fc:
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Hi Andy
That sounds like a really good idea, a "ragwort bashing social", wish we lived in South Devon, I'd bring some of my homebrew cider and join you.
My job used to get me stressed out of my tiny, time spent bashing Alf's Ragwort, no mobile phone, no stress, sun on my back, nature round me was a drugfree treatment. I leart so much about the the social/heirarchical side of horses, fascinatingly they know when you are ill without you saying a word.
Get the blighters before they flower!!!!!!
SV
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A hill farm I used to work for - and which was definitely not at all organically inclined - still used the pulling method... They knew from experience that none of the chemicals really worked in the long run on this particular weed.
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I spent two weeks helping to pull the damn stuff out of my neighbours field. Got RSI and very little thanks. It is damn hard work - and it was about 4 acres full of the stuff! Had some in my field, but I invested in a ragwort fork which also deals with the thistles - well worth it.
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I cleared an acre in a paddock I rented once.
I didn't know to wear gloves. :o
If you are pulling them, wear gloves!!!
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Hi Greenerlife
I wouldn't consider it without a regwort fork
Sally you must wear glove, ragwort contains a liver toxin.
SV
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Sally you must wear glove, ragwort contains a liver toxin.
Uh, yeah, I know that now ::)
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Hi Sally
Better now than never
The problem with Ragwort is that the toxin remains even when the ragwort dries out, so that ragwort in hay is damaging to livestock. Livestock won't touch it when it is green as it has a very bitter taste but this goes on drying.
SV
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We have a ragwort fork too. Luckily we don't have a big problem though and it seems to be getting less as we dig up each year :thumbsup:
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We use Depitox - we spot spray with knapsack sprayers at the end of May, and then go round before the mower, pulling anything that's come up or was missed on the walk round.
The Depitox is very effective - also kills nettles, thistles and docken etc. We don't want to blanket spray as we have a lot of clover and species rich pastures.
We do 26 acres using this method - and the ragwort (and the other weeds) will start to die off the same day as spraying if conditions are right. We've been doing this for 3 years - before that we spot sprayed with Clinic Ace for a year. We think the ragwort infestation is getting smaller each year and I think we get better results with Depitox.
Sue
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of all of the above suggestions which chemical (that i don't need a license for) works best on docks as well as ragwort, I have some to sort for a client but don't have spraying certificates its mainly margains of fields and will be done with a backpack sprayer...
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Ragwort-pulling weekend. Our (organic) neighbours do this every year, big BBQ, camp fire to ceremonially burn the ragwort ;D . Gloves and ragwort forks supplied. Great time had by all and yes, the ragwort is diminishing :thumbsup: . You def. do not want it in your hay.
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We have tried spraying, pulling it up, digging it up for over 18 years now and every year I still need to spend a week getting rid of the stuff. Trouble is, my neighbours around me do not treat theirs so it just spreads. At least I know no one can say I leave it to spread. hate the stuff.
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I cleared an acre in a paddock I rented once.
I didn't know to wear gloves. :o
If you are pulling them, wear gloves!!!
But did you actually feel any bad effects by not wearing gloves?
There is actually no properly documented evidence of people developing liver damage by skin contact with ragwort. You would have to pick up vaste amounts of toxin for it to be absorbed through the skin and cause any damage.
But most of the rumours of how ragwort affects humans are just that - publicised rumours and chinese whispers.
I'm not saying "don't wear gloves" - it's a matter of choice. Just thought I'd mention that if you actually research the subject you'll maybe come to the conclusion that they're not essential. :thinking:
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A very effective spot spray for ragwort is - about 20% white distilled vinegar, a good dollop of salt, and good squeeze of washing up liquid, in water. I think the vinegar is the essential ingredient and the salt and washing up liquid just help, so you can experiment with them for quantity.
Anyway, spray the ragwort on a warm day when plants are dry and they will be withered by next day.
It will affect the grass as well, but not usually kill it where you get overspray, as the grass leaves have less surface area for uptake.
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I cleared an acre in a paddock I rented once.
I didn't know to wear gloves. :o
If you are pulling them, wear gloves!!!
But did you actually feel any bad effects by not wearing gloves?
Yes, I felt truly terrible for days. I don't think it can have been psychological, because I had no idea it might be bad for me. I didn't go see a doctor.
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i feel ill after using weedkiller - i hate the stuff and im scared it will give me cancer or something like that. even with a face mask and gloves. barrier h was very lemony scented so if you can smell it through a mask, surely you are also inhaling it?
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The essential ingredient in Barrier H is actually citronella oil.
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moving slightly adrift,
My wife says if you can smell the lemon in Gin & tonic then theres not enough gin :thinking:
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Not saying for one minute you shouldn't wear gloves, but the toxic element contained in ragwort apparently is only activated following digestion! As far as I'm aware there is no proven scientific base to suggest absorption through the skin is harmful.
If you are pulling or digging mature ragwort, dispose of them quickly as if left, they can still go to seed. If burning, the updraught of the smoke can carry unburnt seeds over greater distances than windblown seed.
To prevent, dip the flower head in diesel before burning.
As I think has already been mentioned, dried ragwort in hay remains poisonous. If your selling hay to horse owners, you have a duty of care to ensure it is ragwort free.
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Has no one tried a weed wand/wiper both light to carry and using cheap glyphosate at the rosette stage very fast since you only dab each plant and move on
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We pull by hand and it is getting less each year. The only exception is if I open a ditch or disturb the ground in any way there will be loads in that area next year. I was told the seeds can lie dormant for up to 20 years .
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using cheap glyphosate
so what is this called? the cheapest i can get is clinic ace and that is more than £60 a bottle undiluted.
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Depends on your buying power we buy 5x20lts RODEO @ £70 +vat per 20lt . AGRIGEM are selling clinic ace for about £80 +vat per 20lt plus free delivery