Buttercups

Well I have just noticed that my ten acre field has half buttercups, on the half that was mown; and the other half which was left totally fallow, not grazed or anything, looks buttercup free!
 
Sheep aren't fussy so most probably. Just a thought, wouldn't they just spread the buttercups when they come through the other end? As far as I'm aware that's what happens when horses munching on dokens, could be totally wrong!
 
That's a really useful thread! Thanks for posting a link. I've got quite a few in my field - quite like the idea or running sheep through to help clear them!
 
I really hope these damned things will not cause our mares legs to flare up again. Only just got them right and she was stuck in for 4 months while we treated her. Vet said issue was most likely caused by buttercups at her old field and loads have sprouted at the livery yard I have her at now. Grr!
 
My neighbours had their field liming and sprayed for buttercups amongst other things a couple of years ago and their fields are pretty free from buttercups. I've got my horses on their fields as I've just had mine sprayed with Depitox and Headland Transfer which has killed off all the in flower buttercups and those just starting. I'm keeping my horses off my fields for 4-6 weeks but already after 2weeks the buttercups are dying off nicely.
 
I will maybe see if we can get the sheep moved in. Only had the buttercup problem this year and last and that's the 2 years we haven't had the sheep. We haven't had enough grass those years for sheep and horses but maybe the sheep would eat the buttercups rather than the grass.
 
So would sheep be better than spraying/weed killer?
Whats the best spray/weed killer?

After your rid of the buttercups and ragwort etc would you re-seed and/or fertilise?

Weve been over taken by buttercups which has never happened before, had no idea they were toxic to horses! :(
 
LynH said:
My neighbours had their field liming and sprayed for buttercups amongst other things a couple of years ago and their fields are pretty free from buttercups. I've got my horses on their fields as I've just had mine sprayed with Depitox and Headland Transfer which has killed off all the in flower buttercups and those just starting. I'm keeping my horses off my fields for 4-6 weeks but already after 2weeks the buttercups are dying off nicely.
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Would you know if the Depitox and Headland Transfer were mixed together and then sprayed, or were there separate applications for both chemicals? We used Kaskara before the flowers blossomed and we've now got the worst buttercup infestation we've known in 17 years on our farm.
 
I was sold Kaskara recently and have to say I think it ws a waste of money. I have had better results with Pierce (same active ingredients as Transfer) but mixed slightly stronger than the recommendation which knocks the grass back. It does recover though. It's an uphill struggle this year, especially as the weather has broken here now and it is going to be hard to find a suitable time with 2 hours before it rains :(
 
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