thistle

We have rain forecast for the next couple of weeks here. I have some hill ground that is riddled with nettles and I have been carefully spraying with a knapsack on dry days in between other jobs. How late in the year would you spray? I feel like some of the more mature plants aren't really...

Hello guys! Wondering if anyone can advise some good resources on organic farming for me to learn from? Any textbooks, online websites or books I can buy on the matter. I’ve a degree in science and so have a particular interest in studying farming and coming at things from a scientific...

What is my soil lacking when lots of thisles growing

Looking to put some rape/stubble turnips in on spring barley stubble. Usually plough and drill conventionally for sheep. But looking to keep the soil structure firmer and try and out winter some suckler cows. What’s everyone doing to drill theirs? To tight to get DD in so was thinking a one pass...

What would you say is the best and most cost efficient spray to control thistles and docks in grass land? Is there any thing that is clover safe?

What do you experienced stockmen think of this:

Things are going well. Organic matter levels around the farm are now above 10% and improving due to spreading our composted Seperated dung and good use of our “pokey” dirty water. We have managed to reduce our nitrogen usage too. however docks under this system are becoming a real problem and...

Defra announced yesterday that there will be a payment under the SFI for 'moorland and rough grazing'. Three questions then: 1) What £/ha does it need to be set at in order for you to continue to manage such ground post BPS ? (don't just say zillions :) ). 2) Should the payment be dependent...

I was using the ride on mower yesterday doing the lawns and an area outside the garden fence. In the fence line there's a spear thistle, about 3' tall and in flower, I quite like it. I remember my late father referring to king thistles, I suppose that if you had too many of them they'd be...

My usual bandit suppliers Hutchinsons are out of thislex, anyone know where there is some ??

Pre emerge didn't work of pdm as was too dry. Too hot and dry for kerb and that didn't work. Now have a lovely crop of fat hen, sow thistle, chickweed and knotweed. Graminicides are OK but need something for broadleaves. Was reading in Canada they us salsa, the osr herbicide? Anyone any ideas...

anyone grow this?.....whats it like to establish/weed control?.....can it make hay?...though nutrient depletion could be a problem :scratchhead: .......grazing wise what sorta lsu can it reasonably support without falling foul of regs:scratchhead:

I have a reseed that that was direct drilled into stubble last September. It wasn't looking great for a while but it's come away now but it has big areas of YF. What is the best course of action now. I plan to top it, should probably have been done before now. I did wonder about a weed wiper as...

Thistlex , how soon is it rainfast ? have a few nettle paddocks to do , bit expensive to throw around ,couldnt find it on my data sheet

I buy store cattle off some small local farms and always try to help them out with bull hire or dehorning and TB testing. Yesterday when I went to see some yearlings on one of these farms that is only around 50 acres of old established permanent grass and a reasonable shed, the owners said that...

First cases of ORF for 25 to 30 years. Such divided opinion, its so confusing. Vet & vet websites online all advocate scratching with vaccine. As preventertive not during an outbreak. Local farmers all swear by parafin or homemade remidies. Have to say I'm very suprised how quickly the ewes...

Can anyone put me out of my misery and confirm what this plant is please? Spotted locally up in rows and really annoying me not knowing what it is! (Could be having a senior moment...)

Written by John Swire Game cover crops for shooting and wildlife and wild bird seed mixtures need careful management, starting with reducing the weed population which will help their establishment. This can be challenging, as often there are mixtures of different crop types established in the...

I spot sprayed a few Docks three weeks ago, the majority looked absolutely cooked, wilting, yellow leaves, a bit of warmth and they are gradually coming alive!!

Don’t suppose anyone has an allman 625 dead or dying I’ve just had the adjustable booms drop and smash the valve block into three pieces on a bank holiday weekend trying to take the thistle out of pastures from horsey neighbours.