Effective weed control in silage and grazing systems with up to 14:1 RoI
Dairy farmers can increase grass dry matter yield per ha by up to 15% to deliver a return on investment (RoI) of up to 14:1 by introducing a weed control programme featuring Pasture Pack, the new herbicide combo from Nufarm launched at Dairy-Tech.
Pasture Pack controls the key weeds found in established leys for both silage and grazing – Docks, Thistles, Nettles together with Chickweed and Buttercup. The pack contains five litres of Thrust and two litres of Tandus and is applied at a rate of 2.5l Thrust + 1.0l Tandus/ha, giving a two hectare pack; the herbicide combo offers systemic action of 2,4-D, dicamba and fluroxypyr.
Application is from April to end of September through a conventional sprayer and both components can also be applied via knapsack for spot treatment. A 14-day grazing interval is required; silage and manure have been proven to remain residue free.
“Pasture Pack is both very safe to grass – it does not delay grass growth or cause leaf scorch, and it is cost effective,” says Nufarm’s Brent Gibbon. “The yield benefits of weed management are not yet widely understood by growers, however a Pasture Pack application to control a 15% Dock infestation and applied when weeds are healthy and the leaves actively growing can improve grass silage dry matter yield per ha to supply enough extra energy to make 740 litres milk and deliver a RoI of 14:1*, or replace 1.3 tonnes of concentrate and achieve a 5:1 RoI.
“Similarly, an application of Pasture Pack to swards with 15% Dock cover in grazed grass can improve yield per ha to supply sufficient energy to make 820 litres milk – a 15:1 RoI or replace 1.4 tonnes of concentrate – a 6:1 RoI.”
He adds: “This spring provides the opportunity for all dairy farmers to make more from their forage by adopting a serious approach to weed control and introducing Pasture Pack. However, early assessment and planning are essential towards achieving a significant return on investment.”
Pasture Pack is available from 2019 in a convenient two hectare pack.
