Dock can wreak havoc in silage silages. Teagasc research has show a 10% dock infestation can result in a 10% drop in grass silage yields.
Reap the yield and quality benefits of dock-free silage
With continuing pressure on incomes in farming, maximising output from grass and silage is now more important than ever.
Docks severely damage yield and quality of grazing and silage swards. In first cut silage, even a moderate infestation of docks will cut dry matter yields by at least a tonne/acre and significantly impair quality. In baled silage, dock stems play havoc with the film, leading to substantial wastage.
With many crops about to be closed, for an early silage cut there is now a real opportunity to plan an application of DoxstarPro and get rid of the docks before the silage is cut.
The ideal time to spray is two to four weeks after nitrogen is applied when docks are actively growing and are 15-25cm (6-10in) high or across and before a seed head begins to emerge. This is called the rosette stage.
The key requirement is to wait for a minimum of three weeks after DoxstarPro is applied before harvesting the silage. This ensures that the chemicals get fully translocated down to the roots, a vital factor in achieving long-term control.
The dock taproot can up be up to a metre deep. A translocated herbicide, DoxstarPro has the right combination of chemicals and the mode of action that ensures a complete kill of the root system, ensuring effective, long term control.
Where docks are a problem in silage swards, it makes perfect economic sense to kill them before the silage is cut. It makes no sense to spend money on fertilising the docks and suffer the double whammy of a big reduction in yield and quality.
Unlike hormone and dicamba-based products, DoxstarPro does not affect grass growth.
For best results
- Apply DoxstarPro to silage swards a minimum of three weeks before cutting.
- Apply when docks are actively growing and are 15-25cm (6-10in) high or across.
- Apply at a rate of 2 litres/ha as a single application or two applications of 1 litre/ha six to 12 months apart.
- Use a minimum of 300 litres water/ha (30gals/ac). Increase to 400 litres/ha to overcome shading by dense grass or dense weed populations
Contact your local Homeland store for additional advice and purchase DoxstarPro instore or online at www.homeland.ie
