How
to control ragwort
Prevention
is the main method of control - a well managed pasture
is less likely to have a ragwort problem. Close
fertilised sward is resistant to seed germination
but where the sward becomes thin or damaged by excessive
'poaching' a seedbed exists. There is no quick fix
for controlling ragwort, but preventing seed production
is an essential component of any successful ragwort
management plan. Generally, the control of ragwort
falls into three categories and the type of infestation
wil decide the method which is the most appropriate:
Mechanical:
Pulling/Digging - it
is more easily removed in the spring;
it needs to be removed before flowering has
completed;
Plants should be removed and destroyed to
prevent stock eating the dead ragwort.
To be effective, the crown together
with the larger roots must be completely removed
form the ground or rapid growth may occur.
The 'Ragfork' (right) is a product
that has been developed specifically for the mechanical
removal of Ragwort. www.ragfork.co.uk
|
 |
Biological:
Cinnabar Moth Caterpillar
(Tyria jacobaea)
the black and gold-striped caterpillar feeds on
ragwort and when abundant may weaken or even kill
most of the plants before they can seed. The caterpillars
feed during June and July.
Ragwort seed fly (pegohylemia seneciella)
lays eggs in the developing flower heads and the
succeeding larvae devour the developing fruits.
Ragwort flea beetle (Longitarsus flavicornis)
- feeds on common ragwort in the autumn, winter
and spring. The adults tend to feed on the foliage
whereas the larvae will feed on the roots and
leaf petioles.
Chemical:
DEFRA recommend the herbicides
MCPA and 2,4-D, but a single spray treatment is
not necessarily sufficient as there may be regeneration
of plants from residual roots. If the ragwort
is first noticed at the rosette stage then the
plants should be sprayed in late April/May. If,
however, the ragwort is noticed at the flowering
stage then the plants should be sprayed in October
before the frost damages the foliage. (this is
the best time to spray paddocks that will be used
for hay or silage production the following year)
Recently
there has been a 'natural product' produced by
Barrier Animal Healthcare called Barrier H for
the control of ragwort.
Animals should not be allowed onto recently sprayed
pastures.
Conclusion:
Ragwort has been around a long time but it
is noticebly on the increase. Ragwort can survive
drought conditions and will become more prevalent
if the predicted climate changes occur.
The
weeds act 1959 states:
'IT IS IMPORTANT TO BE ALERT
TO POTENTIAL WEED PROBLEMS AND TAKE ACTION QUICKLY'
|
