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Three options for controlling buttercups in grassland this spring
Corteva Agriscience has two new herbicides to help farmers tackle buttercups in their grass fields this spring – ProClova® XL and Thistlex® Pro.
Buttercups will reduce dry matter (DM) grass yield and if eaten in quantity, can lead to reduced dry matter intakes in cattle and sheep.
This is because buttercups contain ranunculin, which converts to an irritant substance when plant material is damaged due to chewing. This can lead to excessive salivation and drooling and blistering on the lips, tongue and gums. It can also cause digestive upset.
Buttercups lose their toxicity when they are dried, so are less of a problem when found in hay and silage. The greatest risk is associated with grazed pasture.
Envy® has been the traditional product of choice to eradicate buttercups but has to be applied when the plants are young, with new green growth and before flowering. Stock need only be removed from the sprayed field for seven days before returning and there are no special manure management requirements. This means it can be used on fields that will be cut for silage and hay. Envy will however kill clover.
Where clover is an intrinsic component of the sward, ProClova XL can be used as this will kill buttercups. This product launched last year, offers highly effective clover-safe weed control for use in new sown leys and established grassland.
It is best to spray before the buttercups have flowered and when overnight temperatures are forecast to be above eight degrees centigrade for three days before, and three days after the proposed application date. ProClova XL can be used on grazing and cutting ground.
Where there are long established populations of buttercups or where circumstances mean they are flowering before the sprayer gets to the field, consider Thistlex Pro, a new herbicide launched by Corteva this year. It is highly effective in these situations.
This gives outstanding control of both creeping and meadow buttercups; the most common buttercup species found in the UK. When spraying weeds that are in flower, treat early in the morning or late evening when less pollinators are present.
Grass treated with Thistlex Pro must not be cut for fresh grass, hay, haylage or silage within 12 months of treatment.
For more information on Corteva grassland herbicide products visit www.corteva.com/uk or download the Corteva Forage app, available free from the app Store.
Buttercups before they flower can be treated with Envy or ProClova XL
Flowering buttercups can be treated with Thistlex Pro
Note to editors
Use herbicides safely. Always read the label and product information before use. For warning signs and symbols refer to the label.
Envy® contains fluroxypyr and florasulam. ProClova® XL contains florpyrauxifen-benzyl and amidosulfuron and Thistlex® Pro contains clopyralid and halauxifen-methyl (Arylex).
About Corteva
Corteva, Inc. is a publicly traded, global pure-play agriculture company that provides farmers around the world with the most complete portfolio in the industry - including a balanced and diverse mix of seed, crop protection and digital solutions focused on maximising productivity to enhance yield and profitability. With some of the most recognised brands in agriculture and an industry-leading product and technology pipeline well positioned to drive growth, the company is committed to working with stakeholders throughout the food system as it fulfils its promise to enrich the lives of those who produce and those who consume, ensuring progress for generations to come. Corteva Agriscience became an independent public company on June 1, 2019, and was previously the Agriculture Division of DowDuPont. More information can be found at https://www.corteva.com/uk
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Media Contact:
Sara Gregson
Sara Gregson Marketing Communications
t: 01799 530934 m: 07768 764062 e: sara@saragregson.co.uk