top of page

Ragwort: What's that pretty yellow flower growing through your fields?

Writer's picture: Alicia  Temple Alicia Temple

RAGWORT


The yellow-flowered noxious weed on most farms – and most likely on yours!


What is the problem with this pretty yellow flowered plant?

If consumed by animals, they can show symptoms such as tenesmus, pain as well as weakness in the limbs. Other symptoms include loss of condition, restlessness/aimless and uncoordinated movements/repetitive circling.

Ragwort contains toxic compounds which cause liver damage to horses and other livestock, which can be fatal. It is just as toxic when it is cut and dried, since this is when the plant loses its bitter taste, it will be even more palatable to animals. Poisoning can occur at any time of the year.


How long can ragwort survive?

It lives for 5 years! Even if it is sprayed off in the first year, more seeds and plants will grow in the second.


How to eradicate this weed?

The best method to remove this plant is to pull it once he or she sees it. If one plant emerges this year, then several more will develop in the next year. Pulling after heavy rainfall can provide the best result as the ground is soft. To see results with pulling, then it should be conducted in a two-year cycle.


If the land is severely infested with Ragwort, ploughing is a good method to solve the issue. The options include spraying off the field with round up, before ploughing and reseeding.

If you are interested in spraying to remove Ragwort, then it is recommended to spray early Spring (Feb to mid-March) or alternatively, late Autumn (mid-September to mid-November).


The key to spraying is that it should be in its first stage (rosette stage). Ideally, it is best to spray in Autumn when paddocks are grazed out, sprayed, and left for 5/6 weeks.

Sprays available to control this weed include:

- MCPA 500

- 2,4-D Amine

- Bandock

- Forefront

- Pastors


Please be aware that if spraying is taking place, livestock should be kept off fields are once the weed is sprayed, the Ragwort becomes more palatable to livestock. Silage or hay should not be harvested until it is visible that all Ragwort is dead and has wilted away.


 



Recent Posts

See All

Comentários


LOCATION

Figart 
Raphoe 
Co Donegal
F93 XT3C

CONTACT DETAILS

Alicia Temple

atempleagriconsultancy@gmail.com

00353 (0) 85 8391019

OPENING HOURS

9.00am - 5.00 pm
9.00am - 5.00 pm
9.00am - 5.00 pm
9.00am - 5.00 pm
9.00am - 5.00 pm

Mon     
Tue      
Wed    
Thurs
Fri  

bottom of page