Tackle gorse and other brushweeds to ensure your pasture is in prime condition on-farm.
Seeing one gorse plant in flower where there should be good grazing is bad enough. But knowing that a single plant can produce up to 36,000 seeds per square metre, every year, is even worse.
Gorse is not the only brushweed that likes to make itself at home on New Zealand farms, of course, but it is a great example of why this category of plants are so potentially costly.
“It’s tough, adaptable and highly invasive, just like broom and blackberry and other brushweeds,” says Nufarm Territory Manager Jason Marriott.
“If you want to maintain or increase farm pasture productivity, in order to benefit from New Zealand dairying’s most cost effective source of feed, these are the last species you want on your property.”
The good news is that now is a perfect time to control brushweeds; all you need is a solid plan, and the right herbicide products.
Jason says key factors to consider before you start any control programme include the brushweed species present; their density and distribution; and how long you want to wait before re-sowing pasture seed after spraying.
A common scenario is scattered infestations on grazeable land where farmers want to protect the existing grass while still getting rid of gorse, broom or other brushweeds.
In this case, Conquest® (100g/L picloram and 300g/L triclopyr; Group 4) herbicide applied aerially or by handgun can be a good option, Jason says, because it is effective, fast acting and grass friendly, so it won’t leave brown patches in pasture.
“Another advantage? Conquest® can also be used on for spot spraying broadleaf weeds like docks, thistles and ragwort, including large, multi-crown and difficult to kill species,” Jason adds.
“In effect it gives you the ability to tackle two pasture maintenance jobs with one product.”
For controlling larger, denser infestations of brushweeds, Associate® 600WDG (600g/kg metsulfuron-methyl; Group 2) is a well-known and cost effective option.
However, it will damage existing clovers and ryegrass, and soil residues can persist for up to 12 months, depending on application rate, soil type and climate.
If you’re targeting gorse in particular, Pulse® Penetrant should always be added to Conquest or Associate 600WDG, Jason adds.
“Gorse has a very thick cuticle inhibiting the uptake of herbicides, so Pulse® Penetrant allows uptake through the stomata ensuring sufficient herbicide gets into the gorse plants. “Coverage is key, so don’t skimp on water rates.”
Best results are achieved when target brushweeds are not flowering at the time of spraying.
For more helpful information on maintaining pasture productivity this season, talk to your local TSR today or visit a Farm Source store.