[shearling]

  I applied Grazon as per the instructions two weeks ago. It has killed the nettles and the odd bramble but doesn't seem to have made much impact on the docksand I have lots! Some have gone red and others have wilted/twisted a bit, but the vast majority are just waving at me Am I being impatient? Or is this how they look on their way out. I need to get the sheep in the area again this week so that I can Grazon when they have been and there is the added bonus of spreading thistles on that land. Any thoughts most welcome.

[Glentarki]

Usually a week later they are as you describe in the first instance wilted with a red burnt look they usually will fade and die..........The ones that stand upright and a bit twisted looking will often recover from new growth.Most common problem with the large leaves of docks is the run off, reducing the impact required.... Make sure the plant you spray has at least 4-6 leaves showing when you spray. Usually one application is enough using a fine mist to reduce run off. If you think they are waving at you too happily Zap them again if you can spare the area another 7 days to rest ( 60ml per 10ltr)
Hope this helps good luck

Dave

[shearling]

Thanks Dave. I used the spray nozzel recomended with the sprayer but having read your reply think it must not have been fine enough. Going our now to zap the big blighters again. 

[darkbrowneggs]

My sheep LOVE  eating docks and munch them back to the stalks.  My land was rampant with thistles and docks I lost the cow when I first got the land (she was a small Jersey and the weeds were much taller) and I have never sprayed just grazed, mown for hay and topped.  The also love wilted nettles after they have been cut.

All the best
Sue

[shep53]

Sometimes the addition of a wetter can help the product stick to leaves or an acid cutter to break down tough outer fibres

[egglady]

yah, my sheep also love docks and i have just moved them onto the horses area as we are overrun with them there.  the sheep will have them down in no time at all.  much better than spraying.

and thanks for the thistle tip.  mine dont eat the thistles but i'll go out and cut them down first chance i get and see if they eat them as well.  much easier and quicker pasture management techniques fab

[shearling]

Sadly mine are not interested in docks or thistles or nettles. We try to keep all of these of the outskirts of the field for the wildlife, but topping has not worked this year and we have less than 1/4 of our field supporting the sheep. I did a previous thread about the best way to get a hold if the situation and Grazon was agreed as the only sensible solution this time. The previous folk did not keep them under control and a field of docks and thistles will not sustain my flock which is why we reverted to killing weeds - not where we wanted to go at all. We even considered getting goats or a flame thrower!!

[darkbrowneggs]

It is probably the breed.  I have kept Black Welsh Mountain which were wonderful weed eaters, and now have Wiltshire horn, which seem to love them also, they cleared a small paddock of docks in about a week, just the stalks left  . 

Upland v lowland or Native v Modern I wonder 

All the best
Sue

[shearling]

Portlands! However they love apples, damsons, pears, and the leaves from any fruit trees they are not good mowers either. I wonder if our grass is so rich - no supplements needed or extras.

[darkbrowneggs]

Interesting breed    I had heard of them, but never read about them, but just had a Google, and it makes interesting reading.  They look a nice breed to keep, though they are a bit picky with their feed

[shearling]

Portlands are very pretty and easy going. They are not so keen to achieve the ultimate end as most sheep seem to. The lambs are a rich rust that turn to creamy white - except on our soil they have a large amount of red tinge from the soil. If you go to the photo competition pages you will see our first lamb He is hiding in the daffodils near the barn where we had to keep him. He is wearing the sleeve of my jumper and a blue coat as he was slightly earlier than expected and had a bit of an interesting start I think they do not eat the docks, etc as there is enough, very good quality grass for them. We live in a bit of a microclimate and for only one week, due to snow coverage, have we needed to give any extras, a bit of hay. Except for a few handfuls of nuts for the girls after they had their lambs. If we fed them anymore they would expload and are fat just on the grass.