Docks in reseed

[scrubbuster]

It was sown the 24th of May. It has come lovely but it's full of fat hen and docks. I have sheep on it but only 50 something on 7 and a half acres. I can put the weaned lambs on it in about 10 days. I was going to top it before they seed and spray next spring if needed, but I am wondering now if I should spray it this year instead?

 

[milkloss]

It was sown the 24th of May. It has come lovely but it's full of fat hen and docks. I have sheep on it but only 50 something on 7 and a half acres. I can put the weaned lambs on it in about 10 days. I was going to top it before they seed and spray next spring if needed, but I am wondering now if I should spray it this year instead?

Spray without a doubt. You’ll get them all killed and a thicker more productive ley that is less likely to allow further weeds to chit.

It’s the only sensible thing to do imo.

 

[Kidds]

No point waiting til next year to spray when the docks will be bigger and stronger. Top now and spray when sufficient regrowth on the docks would be my plan

 

[scrubbuster]

Presumably I will lose the clover? I can stitch in next year if so

 

[milkloss]

Presumably I will lose the clover? I can stitch in next year if so

Docks or clover is an easy choice

 

[scrubbuster]

No point waiting til next year to spray when the docks will be bigger and stronger. Top now and spray when sufficient regrowth on the docks would be my plan

Oh top and spray?

 

[Kidds]

Just my approach. Topping will get rid of the fat hen and any flower spikes on the docks. The docks will then produce new leaves which make an excellent target for the spray.

 

[scrubbuster]

Just my approach. Topping will get rid of the fat hen and any flower spikes on the docks. The docks will then produce new leaves which make an excellent target for the spray.

Sounds like a good approach. How long after topping will they be fit for spraying roughly?

 

[milkloss]

Oh top and spray?

Got any pics to show how big they are? Topping first might be a good move but will prolong the time the docks are increasing ground cover over the new seeds.

 

[Kidds]

Depends on weather but 2-3 weeks at a guess.

 

[scrubbuster]

Got any pics to show how big they are? Topping first might be a good move but will prolong the time the docks are increasing ground cover over the new seeds.

Taken just now

 

[scrubbuster]

@beltbreaker you available?

 

[milkloss]

Spray. I’m no agronomist but I’d see that got full rate fluroxypyr now and again most likely in late summer next year when the next batch of seedlings have hatched. Maybe in the spring but I suspect there won’t be enough visible to worry about until you’ve grazed/cut it and let the light in. Those docks are going to crowd out the grass and you’ll have bare patches where they were which will allow more docks to germinate.

I wonder though if enough sheep to absolutely mash it to the ground might just sort a lot of them out but I bet there’ll still be a fair number next year.

 

[scrubbuster]

Spray. I’m no agronomist but I’d see that got full rate fluroxypyr now and again most likely in late summer next year when the next batch of seedlings have hatched. Maybe in the spring but I suspect there won’t be enough visible to worry about until you’ve grazed/cut it and let the light in. Those docks are going to crowd out the grass and you’ll have bare patches where they were which will allow more docks to germinate.

I wonder though if enough sheep to absolutely mash it to the ground might just sort a lot of them out but I bet there’ll still be a fair number next year.

So don't top now?

 

[milkloss]

So don't top now?

Personally I wouldn’t, no. I’d got shot of them whilst the ley is still young even if it meant having another go next year.

 

[Boohoo]

I'd spray that as soon as possible. Squire is clover safe
https://www2.nufarm.com/uk/product/squire-ultra/

 

[milkloss]

I'd spray that as soon as possible. Squire is clover safe
https://www2.nufarm.com/uk/product/squire-ultra/

I’d say with that amount of docks it might well be dock safe too!!

It does work but I suspect that field would need cutting or grazing before the amidosufuron in squire has done its stuff,

 

[Boohoo]

I’d say with that amount of docks it might well be dock safe too!!

It does work but I suspect that field would need cutting or grazing before the amidosufuron in squire has done its stuff,

At least 7 days between spraying and grazing and at least 21 days between spraying and cutting according to the label.

 

[milkloss]

At least 7 days between spraying and grazing and at least 21 days between spraying and cutting according to the label.

Yes. I’ve done a fair few acres with squire ultra. Nearly every time I wished I’d used something with a little more kick. In quite a few fields it sorted the docks but not a clean kill and many grew back from a blackened root even if they looked a little stunted so I had to go over with mcpa just to finish them off a month after silaging.

The squire is like a pause button on them and overtime the plant/root just rots away but as soon as they cut damaged or cut they will grow again if it’s before the root is completely dead. I’ve left some for six weeks before and a fair few came back from the dead, these weren’t new germinated seeds either. Half the root was black and you could see the new shoots came from a small sliver of yellow root that was left. All tried over a few different years/conditions.

Just my experience explained as best I can.

 

[Boohoo]

Yes. I’ve done a fair few acres with squire ultra. Nearly every time I wished I’d used something with a little more kick. In quite a few fields it sorted the docks but not a clean kill and many grew back from a blackened root even if they looked a little stunted so I had to go over with mcpa just to finish them off a month after silaging.

The squire is like a pause button on them and overtime the plant/root just rots away but as soon as they cut damaged or cut they will grow again if it’s before the root is completely dead. I’ve left some for six weeks before and a fair few came back from the dead, these weren’t new germinated seeds either. Half the root was black and you could see the new shoots came from a small sliver of yellow root that was left. All tried over a few different years/conditions.

Just my experience explained as best I can.

I haven't used it myself but I'd been told it was as good as Doxstar, not much more expensive per acre and clover safe. Going by your experience it's a waste of time and money.