WEED-infested horse paddocks are now approaching the ideal stage for spraying with an effective herbicide. When it comes to selecting a product with a broad spectrum of control, Envy is the ideal choice.

Manufactured by Corteva Agriscience, Envy is a systemic herbicide, containing two powerful ingredients - fluroxypyr and florasulam. The combination of these two potent chemicals with two different modes of action ensures a wide spectrum of weed control.

The range of weeds it controls includes buttercups, dandelions, plantains, daisies, docks and chickweed. And as there are no issues with residues in manure, Envy is particularly suited to horse paddocks.

Chris Maughan, technical manager with Whelehan Crop Protection, which distributes the full range of Corteva Agriscience herbicides on the Irish market, advised that best control is achieved by spraying when weeds are actively growing and before they reach the flowering stage.

“For example, with docks, best results are got from spraying when they are 15-25cm high or wide and before a seed head begins to emerge.

“While good results can be achieved by spraying buttercups at the flowering stage, very best control is got by spraying before they flower.

“Where weeds such as docks are gone beyond the ideal stage, it is preferable to top the field and spray after about three weeks regrowth when they should have reached the ideal stage for an effective kill,” said Chris.

“Envy should be applied at two litres/ha in a minimum of 200 litres of water. Animals should be kept off grazing pastures for seven days after spraying.

Killing weeds in hay and silage swards

Where weeds are a problem in hay, haylage or silage swards Envy is also an ideal herbicide.

“Spraying before silage or hay is cut is by far the best option. It ensures better yields and higher quality of winter feed as well as leading to clean, productive aftergrass for the remainder of the grazing season and beyond,” said Chris Maughan.

It is important to leave an interval of at least three weeks between spraying and cutting the crop. This ensures that the chemicals get translocated right down to the root system of the weeds, which is vital for long-term control.

Chickweed can devastate a new reseed. Envy is highly effective on both common and mouse-eared chickweed.

Envy is the only option for new reseeds

While reseeding gives a big boost to grass quality and output, the benefits are seriously eroded if weeds are not controlled early.

Weeds such as chickweed can take over a reseeded pasture and smother out the grass. Similarly, if docks are not killed early, the roots can grow to a metre deep and can devastate grass yields.

Envy is highly effective on seedling docks and on both common and mouse-eared chickweed.

Where pasture has been reseeded in recent weeks, it is important to monitor the new sward for weeds and to take early action.

Envy can be applied to reseeds from the third leaf visible stage of the grass. The application rate in reseeds is one litre/ha in 200 litres of water.

The video below demonstrates the importance of early post-emergent treatment of chickweed and other weeds in new reseeds.

Autumn reseeds

Chris Maughan also highlighted problems with weed infestation in pastures reseeded last autumn.

“Many pastures that were reseeded last autumn and were not treated with a post-emergent herbicide are heavily infested with weeds.

“Chickweed is a major problem. If not controlled, it will continue to flourish and other weeds such as docks and buttercups will germinate. The end result will be a very poor pasture and a wasted investment.

“Where weeds are a problem in pastures reseeded last autumn, my advice is to spray as soon as possible,” he said.

A big advantage of Envy is that it works well in cool conditions and can be applied up to the end of November. This makes it especially suited as a post-emergent spray to pastures reseeded in late summer and autumn.

The Envy fact file

  • Contains two powerful ingredients - Florasulam and Fluroxypyr.
  • Highly effective on buttercups, dandelions, docks, chickweed, daisies and plantains.
  • Apply to grazing pastures and silage/hay swards at a rate of 2.0l/ha in a minimum of 200l water.
  • Apply to new reseeds at 1.0l/ha in a minimum of 200l water.
  • Keep animals off grazing pastures for seven days after spraying.
  • It can be applied up to November 30th, making it an ideal herbicide for autumn-sown reseeds.
  • Options for controlling thistles

    Where thistles are among the target weeds in grazing pastures, silage/hay swards or new reseeds, Pastor Trio should be the herbicide of choice.

    It contains three active ingredients – florasulam, fluroxypyr and clopyralid, a combination which ensures a broad spectrum of weed control.

    Pastor Trio is effective on the same range of weeds as Envy and is also powerful on thistles. It should be applied to established grazing pastures and silage/hay swards at two litres/ha and to reseeded pasture at one litre/ha. Use a minimum of 200 litres water/ha.

    Where thistles are the sole weed in grazing or silage/hay swards, the specialist thistle herbicide Thistlex should be used.

    It contains the active ingredients triclopyr and clopyralid, which are absorbed right down to the roots of the thistles.

    Best control is achieved from spraying when thistles are actively growing, have four to ten leaves and are 15-25cm high.

    Apply Thistlex at 1 litre/ha in a minimum of 200 litres water. As with Envy, keep animals off treated pasture for seven days after spraying with Pastor Trio or Thistlex. In silage/hay swards, leave a minimum of three weeks between spraying and cutting the crop.

    For more information click here.