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Producing more home-grown feed has never been more important for dairy farmers. With rising input costs and increasing pressure on pasture performance, the foundations of good, weed-free, dense, and high-quality swards will deliver real value on-farm.
According to Nufarm Technical Specialist Celese Smit, investing in strategic new pasture weed control is one of the most effective steps farmers can take to lift home-grown dry matter production.
“Every kilogram of dry matter grown on-farm is a kilogram you don’t need to buy,” says Celese. “When weeds steal moisture, space, and nutrients from your new grasses and clovers, you’re giving up potential feed. A clean pasture is simply more productive.”
Even low populations of broadleaf weeds can limit pasture growth. The likes of docks, buttercup and thistles reduce both quantity and quality, undermining the feed value of every paddock. Celese notes that farmers often underestimate the long-term benefits of timely spraying.
“Think of weed control as an investment.”
Celese Smit
Nufarm Technical Specialist
“It’s one of the few actions on-farm where you can see the return in improved pasture density, better regrowth, and higher feed utilisation throughout the season.”
Nufarm’s portfolio of pasture weed solutions offers farmers reliable, proven options to target a wide range of problem species. Baton® 800WSG is a goto for thistles and many broadleaf weeds, ideal for maintaining established pastures. Tribal® Gold offers broad-spectrum control with clover-safe flexibility, making it a strong choice for mixed swards.
Thistrol® Plus is a specialised thistle solution with a strong track record where perennial thistles persist. Valdo® 800WG – a selective herbicide that delivers excellent results on broadleaf weeds while supporting pasture resilience. Dictate® 480 is effective on tough-to-control weeds and useful where woody or persistent species threaten productivity. Adding Bonza® Gold will help with fast knockdown and robust performance in challenging weed pressure.
The Nufarm Grassmanship® app (grassmanship.nz) is a free practical digital tool for farmers and TSRs alike. It simplifies your spray programme and will help build confidence in your decisions. “It is an easy tool to empower your decisions whilst keeping new pastures productive and profitable this autumn. The app helps you identify key weeds, choose the right chemistry, and maximise the ROI from every hectare of your farm to improve pasture utilisation,” she says.
Having the right product makes all the difference. But the real gains come from using them proactively, not waiting until weeds dominate. “Early detection, early action.” Celese stresses that optimal timing often separates average results from great ones. “Spraying when weeds are young and actively growing is the sweet spot,” she says. “If you get on top of them early in the season, your pasture rewards you with more tillering, more density, and more dry matter.”
Farmers are also encouraged to integrate spraying into their broader pasture plan, aligning weed control with grazing strategies, soil fertility, and pasture renovation. The payoff is more feed, less cost. Every controlled weed opens space for productive grass or clover to flourish. Celese notes that farmers who prioritise pasture health consistently see better utilisation and higher-quality feed. “Producing great home-grown feed isn’t about doing one thing well,” she says. “It’s about doing many small things at the right time, including weed control. That’s how farmers reliably grow more feed year after year.”
With the tools and knowledge available today, pasture performance is more manageable than ever. Removing weeds, strengthening swards, and protecting every kilogram of home-grown feed gives farmers resilience and a competitive edge.
As Celese puts it: “Pasture is your most valuable crop. Treat it like one.”
For more information or support with using the Grassmanship app talk to your friendly Farm Source TSR today.
Article supplied by Nufarm
