AS the winter and spring rains begin to ease and temperatures rise, weeds are starting to emerge, particularly in those paddocks which have escaped water-logging.

“Spraying weed-infested paddocks with Envy over the coming weeks will pay handsomely and will ensure more nutritious and more productive grazing swards,” said Chris Maughan, technical manager with Whelehan Crop Protection, the Irish distributors of Envy.

“Because Envy poses no risks with residues in manure, it is ideally suited to horse paddocks. This is why it is rapidly becoming the herbicide of choice on equine farms. Optimum control is achieved by spraying before weeds reach the flowering stage.”

Where weeds are beyond these stages and when conditions are suitable, landowners should top the paddock and apply Envy after around three weeks’ regrowth by which time weeds have reached the ideal stage for an effective kill.

“Envy should be applied at two litres/ha in a minimum of 200 litres of water,” said Chris. “Envy can be applied up to the end of November, which is another of its benefits, making it particularly suited to pastures reseeded in the autumn.”

Envy is also ideal for hay and silage/haylage swards. Spraying before the cutting of silage or hay represents the best option. This eliminates weed from bales where they can affect the preservation of the silage/haylage bales.

“Where weeds are a problem in silage or hay swards, the ideal time to spray them is two to four weeks after fertiliser is applied,” added Chris.

“Weeds should then be actively growing and at the right stage for an effective kill. It is important to leave an interval of at least three weeks between spraying and cutting the crop as this allows time for the sprays to kill out the root of the weed and totally decay away.”

For grassland advice visit corteva.ie/grassland or email cropprotection@tpwhelehan.ie