Cost of spraying fields....

[luckilotti]

Hi
is anyone having their fields sprayed this year? And if so has it gone up?
We have been told by the contractor that the price of weedkiller has gone up 30% in the last year.... not sure if they are really just trying it on or if its true!
They are spraying just 18acres i think - how much would you expect to pay for this?
Thanks

 

[miller]

Don't know about weedkiller but fertiliser about 50% dearer for same brand than last year

 

[mattilda]

Am having mine done this month but guy is using a new spray so assume it will be more expensive than last year, this one does ragwort and thistles and nettles....I hope!!

 

[Bosworth]

I have just had a quote for my 32 acres - the cost of the herbicide is £560 +vat. the cost to spray it will be £160. it has increased dramatically since last time I did it five years ago.

 

[luckilotti]

thanks - we have been quoted nearly that Bosworth for the 18 acres, think i will have to try and negociate a better deal (they already claim to have knocked £100 off it!)

 

[jrp204]

We were charging 7.50/acre 2 years ago so it would be about 10/ac now just to spray, i expect the sprays have gone up as well as the fert.

 

[BigBird146]

I buy Urea prills (for my business) which is used as a fertiliser or in fertiliser and the cost has gone up a lot this year, not sure why but all the big manufacturers have put their prices up.

 

[Donkeymad]

And of course the fuel to operate the machinery has shot up since last year too

 

[debsflo]

what is the best spray to use and is now the best time.

 

[jrp204]

Fert has gone up as its oil based, what do you want to spray for, i can ask OH for rec.

 

[debsflo]

buttercups mainly thanks

 

[mcooper]

The latest and best grasslanf spray is called Forefront http://www.dowagro.com/uk/products/prod/forefront.htm

It is suppost to be the best long term spray for grass as some weeds esp nettles grow back every year with cheaper sprays.

Fertiliser is now over double what it was 12 months ago and red diesel is 50% more, string, and bale wrap has also gone up at least 20%

Mark

 

[jrp204]

OH reckons if you want to really hit the b/cups its prob a bit late as it needs to be done march/early april, to just knock them back for this summer use a broad leaved weed corn spray such as duplazan(something like that) which will prob be cheaper and will start to clear them and then use the good stuff and hit them hard next spring, he was busy and couldn't remember the grass spray to use.