Author Topic: Spot Spraying (Read 7331 times)

Midas · « **on:** April 03, 2016, 08:11:14 pm »

Hi everyone,
hope you are all well? I was wondering if anyone had used the spot spraying method with a knapsack to kill off weeds. I am thinking about doing this this year instead of getting a contractor in.
I got someone in last year as the field had not really had much done, only topped, and I wanted to get some hay from it so wanted to give the weeds a good sort out. I hope to get haylage or hay from it this year too.
I have been looking at different products and have heard good things about "grazon" (I think this is what it is called).

Any advice or tips would be gratefully received.

Thank you

Backinwellies · « **Reply #1 on:** April 03, 2016, 08:24:38 pm »

Law has changed you need to do sprayer qualification to use at chemicals on your fields

Midas · « **Reply #2 on:** April 04, 2016, 05:53:47 am »

Thankyou Backinwellies,
Could have landed myself in trouble, I never knew. Guess I will be digging them out this time then, thankfully there are not too many at the moment.
Does this legislation apply to getting rid of brambles too?, can I still use SBK to get rid of them?

Backinwellies · « **Reply #3 on:** April 04, 2016, 09:13:03 am »

http://www.fwi.co.uk/academy/lesson/pesticide-legislation

Applies to any 'agricultural pesticides' ...

honeyend · « **Reply #4 on:** April 04, 2016, 11:40:29 am »

I use this website, I think if its your own land you can still apply spray, but they will tell you.
http://www.progreen.co.uk/weed-control/selective

Backinwellies · « **Reply #5 on:** April 04, 2016, 03:09:47 pm »

Quote from: honeyend on April 04, 2016, 11:40:29 am

I use this website, I think if its your own land you can still apply spray, but they will tell you.
http://www.progreen.co.uk/weed-control/selective

No you cannot spray on your own land

Maggy · « **Reply #6 on:** April 04, 2016, 06:06:09 pm »

Under the new legislation, you cannot buy any pesticde - let alone use it- without the appropriate certificate. Have just spent three and a half days taking a course and two exams just to use a hand held sprayer! I passed though so it can't be that hard :-)

Midas · « **Reply #7 on:** April 05, 2016, 05:44:10 am »

Well done Maggy! you must be please

I will be getting the spade, Rag fork (If required) and a bit of stubborn determination together then. Not that I know what the weeds look like in the early stages, but will educate myself.
In regards to your course Maggy, was it just hand spraying that was covered? or did you have to cover machine spraying too? I would be interested in the details.

Maggy · « **Reply #8 on:** April 05, 2016, 08:20:48 am »

There were two parts - the first was generic and everyone has to do this one (regardless of how the pesticide is to be applied) it covered theory, legalities, best practice etc. Then there are separate modules for types of applicator to be used, eg. hand held, vehicle mounted (covers ATV as well as tractor) injection for knotweed etc. You could end up with having to be assessed for everything as one chap there found out as he thought having the vehicle mounted certificate would cover him legally for hand held. I only spot spray so I have only done the hand held cert. You end up with a card,like a driving licence, which shows the classes of use you are qualified for. You have to have the first part with any of the other options to be able to buy pesticide - unless of course you go to the garden centre and buy the ready mixed sort for your garden, but that's another story......!

juliem · « **Reply #9 on:** April 05, 2016, 10:27:56 pm »

Already applying pathclear to my paths/drives and pasture to my nettles in the garden/paddock with hand held sprayer.Usually end up finishing off by venturing into my fields (10 acres grazed by sheep) and spraying the odd thistle/nettle.
And you can still buy 'pasture' without a licence.

juliem · « **Reply #10 on:** April 05, 2016, 10:38:45 pm »

Wystanstay sold me bottle of pasture a few months ago...no licence required..it cost £35
The Archers has been publicising the course as one of the Grundys has just gone on it.

Backinwellies · « **Reply #11 on:** April 06, 2016, 07:33:30 am »

As I understand it yes you may be able to buy at pesticides without cert in some places but if found using it without ....look out!

devonlad · « **Reply #12 on:** April 06, 2016, 08:52:34 am »

I agree with BIW. The tightened legislation technically refers to application of product only. As I understand it, suppliers are only required to advise purchasers of responsibilities re spraying, though in time its possible they may be expected to only sell to licensed people. Also, if previous poster meant Pastor (not pasture), then this product is not approved for knapsack spraying.

juliem · « **Reply #13 on:** April 06, 2016, 02:45:38 pm »

I use PASTOR..with a hand sprayer....jolly useful for getting rid of nettles/thistles....leave the sheep to do the rest.
As a matter of interest just who is going to enforce this...Environment Agency have not got the resources...RPA are similarly under resourced.
It's usually when the streams/rivers get polluted and fish die that sets off the alerts here in Shropshire....and that's usually large scale commercial bodies who are responsible.
And why are the government not targeting "gardeners "
Makes my blood boil how the government can target smallholders like myself who are just trying to keep a few fields tidy and free of ragwort/thistles/nettles so it can be grazed by sheep.Yet there are all these horsey people positively ruining pasture with horses that kill trees (rented a field out once..never again) poach the ground and they are allowed to spray pastor to control ragwort.MAKES NO SENSE.
I suppose the bottom line is that I see my fields as maintaining a landscape like an extention to my garden,Bit like Capability Brown....and can't see how you can apply one set of rules to the garden and not the fields.

Carse Goodlifers · « **Reply #14 on:** April 10, 2016, 08:57:18 pm »

Quote from: Maggy on April 04, 2016, 06:06:09 pm

Under the new legislation, you cannot buy any pesticde - let alone use it- without the appropriate certificate...

The official line is that anyone can buy chemical BUT the purchaser has to ensure that the end user has the certificate/s to apply it e.g. old 'unqualified' farmer can buy the chemical for his 'qualified' tractor person to apply it. That's what we were told and we're in the trade!
Also that's what was re-laid to sprayer operators UK wide attending the NRoSO workshops over the winter (2015/16). This only applies to 'professional' products for agricultural, amenity, forestry use mainly sold through country stores, agronomy distributors etc.
'Amateur' use products from garden centres, DIY stores, supermarkets do not require a certificate of use.
Retailers of 'professional' products MAY ask for proof of spray qualifications if they have never seen you before and are dubious of your purchase. In this case you are likely to be asked for your address etc and that's where a follow up visit from the authorities may get the 'unqualified' into trouble.