Safe Weedkillers! Picked with Gigantic Nasties!

[Tarandes Bear]

Only a brief post. I rotation graze very effectively throughout the year but at the moment a few paddocks are absolutely picked with huge thistles, docks & weeds etc. Can anyone recommend anything that is a safe weedkiller and easy to apply and obviously reasonable cost effective? Many thanks

 

[jrp204]

If you are able to spot treat, Glyphosate (Roundup) is safe to use without removing livestock. You can buy generic Glyphosate which is considerable cheaper than the branded versions. It will kill virtually any plant it is put on so obviously you won't want to spray your grass.

 

[9tails]

I do the biggies with a ragfork. Then top it and put nags on to keep the weeds under control.

 

[JillA]

Ooh I wouldn't use glyphosate, it will kill the grass. If you can get hold of MCPA, that is safe to spot treat without removing livestock, and effective against thistles, docks and nettles, without affecting the grass, so long as you use the correct dilution ratio. If there is anything poisonous like ragwort either physically remove it or keep the horses out until it has rotted into the soil - if there is only an odd one or two I sometimes cover with a pile of poo, that stops them eating it!

 

[jrp204]

Ooh I wouldn't use glyphosate, it will kill the grass.QUOTE]

Which is why I suggested spot treating, you do not need to douse the plant in it.

 

[3OldPonies]

We use Grazon or Pasturol. Sorts out most things, nettles - docks - thistles - the dreaded buttercups - and you only need keep the neddies away for about a week.

No good on ragwort though - that stuff seems to think we are trying to feed it with the stuff!