New pastures now have broadleaf weed control from Ravensdown

MEDIA RELEASE
5 March 2012

New pastures now have broadleaf weed control from Ravensdown

Ravensdown has recently launched a new herbicide to the market for the control of broadleaf weeds in new pasture. Pasture Guard Elite targets seedling buttercups, thistles and other broadleaf weeds.

“When spraying new pasture, which is a key crop for our pastoral farmers, they’re looking for something that won’t damage the clovers,” says George Kerse, Ravensdown Agrochemical Technical Manager. “Ravensdown developed a broad spectrum clover-friendly product that could control weeds that aren’t controlled well by MCPB alone such as chickweed, cleavers, mayweeds, nettle, spurrey, storksbill, twin cress and willow weed.”

Pasture Guard Elite can also be used in ryegrass and clover seed crops, cereals (undersown with clover and/or clover/ryegrass mixtures), peas and established pasture.
Pasture Guard Elite combines the clover safety and weed killing power of bentazone and MCPB. It is available in 20L drums and will be delivered free on farm or to the nearest Ravensdown store (or pick up point).

Three hints for best results from Pasture Guard Elite
1. The best time to spray new pasture is before the first grazing, once clovers have two trifoliate leaves and there is at least 50 per cent ground cover.This will provide the most consistent weed control and will reduce weed competition, giving both ryegrass and white clover the best chance to establish successfully.
2. Pasture Guard Elite is taken up mainly by the leaves, so it is best applied when weeds are small (2-6 leaf) and actively growing after several days of warm humid weather – soil temperatures above 10-12 degC and daytime temperatures above 15 degC,
3. Good spray coverage is also important. Use a minimum of 300 litres of water per hectare to make sure the foliage of your target weeds is thoroughly covered and add a non-ionic surfactant such as Widespread, when specified on the label, to assist spray coverage and retention.
There are some cautions for the use of Pasture Guard® Elite such as not applying to lucerne crops or new pastures containing chicory and plantain or with a surfactant on peas.

“This is a great new addition to our Pasture Guard range,” added George Kerse. “Choosing which one to use from Pasture Guard MCPB, Nurture or Elite depends on the weed spectrum. Where weeds that are difficult to control with MCPB, such as chickweed, cleavers, mayweeds, nettle, spurrey, storksbill, twin cress and willow weed are prevalent, or seedling thistles and buttercups are known to be hard to kill with MCPB, then the preferred product will be Pasture Guard Elite. In most other situations Pasture Guard Nurture would be the preferred product,” concluded George.

Pasture Guard® Elite is a registered trademark of Ravensdown Fertiliser Co-operative

ENDS

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