Best product to spray paddock for clover, thistles etc

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MrsMurs

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Morning all,

I've been looking into spraying my winter paddock before my gelding goes onto it in october.

We've taken hay from it this year and we have had an abundance of clover and thistle come through.

Graze On looks to be the favourite, but I have never sprayed before so I would appreciate some reccomendatons or experiences of spraying. Also, is now a good time to spray? I read that spraying after topping was good as the weeds were uniform height.

Many thanks
 
You legally need a spraying certificate to be able to use chemicals like graze on. You are better off getting a qualified contractor in who knows what they are doing to ensure the right product is used and it's applied correctly so it doesn't cause issues for the environment
 
whiteflower said:
You legally need a spraying certificate to be able to use chemicals like graze on. You are better off getting a qualified contractor in who knows what they are doing to ensure the right product is used and it's applied correctly so it doesn't cause issues for the environment
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Thank you 👍
 
Green Bean said:
You only need a licence if you are a business
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You are not legally allowed to purchase the weedkillers mentioned above without the appropriate certificates. You should be asked for proof of this on purchase (or online have to tick a box to confirm you have the appropriate certificate) this applys to anyone who wishes to use them not just businesses.
The only weedkillers you can buy legally without this are the type which can be purchased from garden centres

ETA. It's not a license, it's certification you have the appropriate qualification
 
whiteflower said:
You are not legally allowed to purchase the weedkillers mentioned above without the appropriate certificates. You should be asked for proof of this on purchase (or online have to tick a box to confirm you have the appropriate certificate) this applys to anyone who wishes to use them not just businesses.
The only weedkillers you can buy legally without this are the type which can be purchased from garden centres

ETA. It's not a license, it's certification you have the appropriate qualification
Click to expand...
I think you're allowed to purchase it as long as you're a landowner, I wasn't asked for anything when I bought it a few months ago.
 
JennBags said:
I think you're allowed to purchase it as long as you're a landowner, I wasn't asked for anything when I bought it a few months ago.
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Can you link to the government information that confirms that please ?

I've done my certificate of competence and am myself a landowner. You may not have been asked but legally you should have been. If you buy online from a website such as agrigem you will get a tick box on checkout confirming you hold the relevant certificate in order to purchase. If you see my link above which is the government guidance it clearly explains the certificate requirement.

I'm aware that it often isn't asked for and Im not sure legally where the fault then falls but for the OP who states they are wanting information and not used to spraying they should be made aware of what is required legally of them in order for them to spray.

There are many horse land owners that don't abide by the law and that is their choice but the training is there for a reason
 
whiteflower said:
Can you link to the government information that confirms that please ?

I've done my certificate of competence and am myself a landowner. You may not have been asked but legally you should have been. If you buy online from a website such as agrigem you will get a tick box on checkout confirming you hold the relevant certificate in order to purchase. If you see my link above which is the government guidance it clearly explains the certificate requirement.

I'm aware that it often isn't asked for and Im not sure legally where the fault then falls but for the OP who states they are wanting information and not used to spraying they should be made aware of what is required legally of them in order for them to spray.

There are many horse land owners that don't abide by the law and that is their choice but the training is there for a reason
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I researched it a few months ago when looking for something for my own land, and "thought" that's what I found, but am not absolutely certain, as it was some time ago and when I went to purchase it, I wasn't questioned so then didn't retain the information.
 
JennBags said:
I researched it a few months ago when looking for something for my own land, and "thought" that's what I found, but am not absolutely certain, as it was some time ago and when I went to purchase it, I wasn't questioned so then didn't retain the information.
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No worries if you see the link I've put above it explains it in depth
 
whiteflower said:
You are not legally allowed to purchase the weedkillers mentioned above without the appropriate certificates. You should be asked for proof of this on purchase (or online have to tick a box to confirm you have the appropriate certificate) this applys to anyone who wishes to use them not just businesses.
The only weedkillers you can buy legally without this are the type which can be purchased from garden centres

ETA. It's not a license, it's certification you have the appropriate qualification
Click to expand...
I've bought grazeon pro, depitox, and headland polo all on ebay without having to tick anything. I use on my own paddocks, read all the blurb and use my commonsense. never had a problem...
 
Just a word to the wise: a few years ago now we employed a "professional contractor" to spray the fields here. However, all the weeds continued to grow and we were baffled!! And disappointed, not to mention hugely annoyed as we were considerably out of pocket.

About this time I went out for a hack and got talking to one of the local elderly farmers who was leaning over a gate (like they do!!), and he said words to the effect that "well Miss, what you should be d'wain is to watch 'em when they'm making the mixture up!!". I.e. Devonshire parlance for make sure that the contractor doesn't short-change you as regards the strength of the product he is using to do the job!!

Just saying............ hope will be of help!
 
cundlegreen said:
I've bought grazeon pro, depitox, and headland polo all on ebay without having to tick anything. I use on my own paddocks, read all the blurb and use my commonsense. never had a problem...
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cundlegreen said:
I've bought grazeon pro, depitox, and headland polo all on ebay without having to tick anything. I use on my own paddocks, read all the blurb and use my commonsense. never had a problem...
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Agreed. I wouldn't pay a contractor for something I can do myself using a bit of commonsense and reading an instruction leaflet.
 
cundlegreen said:
I've bought grazeon pro, depitox, and headland polo all on ebay without having to tick anything. I use on my own paddocks, read all the blurb and use my commonsense. never had a problem...
Click to expand...

And that's my point, lots of horsey people do that, doesn't mean it's correct ! The OP is asking as someone who is new to spraying land and hence I have given the link to the government legislation of what she needs if she wants to use the types of weedkillers that have been mentioned (ie. those you can't purchase from a garden centre) legally. Just because you can do something (and many do) doesn't mean it's right !
 
I don't think Grazon will get rid of clover but MCPA will, and should do thistles too.
The best time to spray is when weeds are actively growing so if they are just coming back after cutting you should be ok. Only thing against you is the weather!
Progreen have a good website and are good for technical advise, have always found them very helpful over the phone.
As someone has said, you should strictly hold a spraying licence ,we do have one in the family, but rarely get asked for details of it. I don't think many places enforce this now.
 
whiteflower said:
And that's my point, lots of horsey people do that, doesn't mean it's correct ! The OP is asking as someone who is new to spraying land and hence I have given the link to the government legislation of what she needs if she wants to use the types of weedkillers that have been mentioned (ie. those you can't purchase from a garden centre) legally. Just because you can do something (and many do) doesn't mean it's right !
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While I agree in principal, spraying is hard enough to get right with weather conditions, then you have to wait for a contractor to turn up, and there aren't many in my neck of the woods. Why would I miss my window for spraying when I can do it myself?
 
cundlegreen said:
While I agree in principal, spraying is hard enough to get right with weather conditions, then you have to wait for a contractor to turn up, and there aren't many in my neck of the woods. Why would I miss my window for spraying when I can do it myself?
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You can do it your self, your just supposed to do the course so you have the correct training (it's more in-depth than just how to use the chemicals) I did mine at a local agricultural college.

Trying to get hold of a contractor is hard enough, let alone on time ! I totally understand why people just do it. Just wanted anyone reading this to know what is the correct legal way to approach it, with correct training and certification if they wish to apply themselves. What they decided to do once furnished with that information is then totally up to them 😉
 
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