Ragwort

Ragwort Control

Introduction

On livestock farms and in equine environments, ragwort must be controlled because it is poisonous to the grazing animals. Under the Noxious Weeds Act 1959, landowners are obliged to control ragwort. If allowed to grow, it could
potentially spread to neighbour’s properties, and this is a statutory offence.

Looking at the municipal viewpoint, ragwort must be controlled because it invades road verges and other low-maintenance turf areas, to the demise of more valued wildflower and grass species.

Ragwort

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Control of Ragwort with 2,4-D

With respect to the control of ragwort in amenity areas, many landscape managers are aware that herbicides containing 2,4-D give good levels of control. Bayer Environmental Science markets 3 products containing 2,4-D, which are approved for use on amenity turf. These are:

“Supertox 30” containing 2,4-D amine plus mecoprop-p

Unfortunately however these products do not currently carry an appropriate label recommendation for ragwort control. Trials are being undertaken at Bayer Environmental Science, and it is hoped that the data generated from these trials will lead to a label recommendation in due course.