Squire Ultra®

Dock Control in Grassland

Interfarm UK Ltd, 36 Newgate Street, Doddington, Cambs UK PE15 0SR. Tel 01354 741414. www.interfarm.co.uk

The Problem

1. Docks are the most economically damaging weeds in grassland

2. Each mature plant can produce up to 60,000 seeds

3. Dock leaves reduce forage quality compromising livestock output

4. Docks compete with grass, reducing grass yield and effective pasture life

5. FYM and nitrogen fertiliser encourage dock growth

6. Side shoots give rise to new plants

7. Tap roots permit overwintering survival and allow rapid early spring growth

Controlling docks can be a major challenge

Clover is valuable – dock control should take this into account

Clover is a valuable component in grassland

1. Clover increases protein and mineral content of grazed and conserved grass

2. Clover root nodules fix atmospheric nitrogen reducing the need for nitrogen fertiliser

3. Modern clover varieties are grazing tolerant and improve pasture forage quality

Squire Ultra – The Product

• Squire Ultra from Interfarm controls docks and some annual broad

leaved weeds in grassland.

• It contains 75% amidosulfuron in a water dispersible granule

formulation

• Controls both broad and curled leaf docks in rotational and permanent

grassland

• Doesn’t harm clover

• Amidosulfuron, a sulphonylurea herbicide, is fully systemic and slower

to act than traditional dock herbicides, moving throughout the weed,

especially into the roots resulting in high levels of control

Advantages of Squire Ultra

• Clover safe – Squire Ultra does not affect white clover and can be

used on seedlings from 1-2 trifoliate leaf stage onwards

• Low use rate water dispersible granule which are very easy to mix

• Each 240g pack can treat 4 hectares

• Flexible treatment window. Can be used in spring and autumn

• No LERAP restriction

• Prolongs productive life of grassland

• Target specific – Minimal impact on non-competitive species which are

important for wildlife

Application Timing

Dock Leaf SizeWeed / Herbicide

InteractionAction

A few upright leaves. Docks in active growth

TOO EARLY – high upward nutrient flow. Docks are using stored tap root reserves hence poor root uptake of Squire Ultra

Delay treatment. If necessary, wait until autumn

Dock leaves expanded, horizontal – “largedinner plate rosette”

IDEAL – weed moving sugars from leaves to roots hence good uptake of Squire Ultra

Apply Squire Ultra in accordance with label

Docks grown upwards with seed heads and overlapping leaves

TOO BIG – Dock using tap root reserves to develop seed heads hence poor uptake of Squire Ultra

Cut docks and treat regrowth when appropriate

Docks in any one field will invariably be of different sizes and growth stages – so target when the majority are at an ideal size and don’t expect to control all with just one application. If unsure, take advice.

NB

Optimum Timing on Permanent Grassland

Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sept Oct

• Timings will vary from South to North• Look for the growth flush from docks

Possible PossibleProbable ProbablePossible Possible

Squire Ultra needs time for maximum effectiveness

Weeks after

application1 2 3 4 5 6

60g/ha of Squire UltraNo further

growth

Leaves turn

yellow

Leaves develop reddish-brown

patches, twist and curl.

Leaves start to die back

Weed death

Docks at large dinner plate rosette

stage. Moist soil

Some root blackening

Root blackening

• 14 days is ideal before stock entry into field

• Keep livestock out of treated areas for a least 7 days after treatment and until foliage of any poisonous weeds eg ragwort has died

• Optimum control is achieved where a minimum of 14 days has elapsed

• 28 days is the ideal minimum time before cutting hay or silage

Allow Squire Ultra time to work before stock introduction

Avoid.... • Treating docks too small and too early• Spraying when frost is likely• Spraying when grassland is under stress• Spraying when grassland has very soft growth• Excessive trampling of treated docks• Docks shaded by grass or physically damaged• Treating docks too large

Squire Ultra – Suitable Conditions

• Treat actively growing docks at large dinner plate rosette stage

• Spray when soil is moist

• Moist soil encourages growth and uptake of Squire Ultra and then

down into the tap root and side roots

• Use a suitable water rate for good coverage – 200-400L/ha

• Good coverage is essential to good control. Lower water rates can

lead to poor control

• Use the required rate of product – 60g/ha

Other Weeds Controlled

Cleavers up to flower budCharlock up to flower bud Shepherds purse up to flower bud Field forget-me-not up to 6 leaves

Product and Label Summary Information

Active ingredients:

Crops: Rate of use:

Max individual dose: Max total dose:

Max No treatments/year

Time of application (Rotational grass):

Time of application (Permanent grass):

Size of docks at application: Other Weeds controlled :

Other specific restrictions (1):

Other specific restrictions (2):

Amidosulfuron 75 WDG (75% w/w)

Permanent grassland (including rotational grassland)60g/ha60 g/ha60 g/ha per yearNo restriction (but note maximum total dose above)

Only between 1st February and 30th June

Only between 1st February and 15th October

Large dinner plate size rosette and actively growingCleavers up to flower bud; charlock up to flower bud; shepherds purse up to flower bud; field forget-me-not up to 6 leaves.

Livestock must be kept out of treated areas for at least 7 days weeks following treatment and until poisonous weeds such as ragwort have died and become unpalatableHay or silage must not be cut from treated crops for at least 21 days after treatment.

Squire Ultra. Product Label Information....

• Squire Ultra (75%) replaces Squire (50%).

• This means a 1/3rd reduction in product rate to

deliver the same active ingredient per hectare

• Pack size is 240g - which is enough to treat 4ha at

full rate

• All other recommendations remain the same

Squire Ultra rate g/ha

Old Squire

rate g/ha

60 90

50 75

40 60

30 45

20 30

TANK WASHING

To avoid subsequent damage to other crops, it is important that the spray tank, boom, hoses and nozzles are thoroughly washed out to remove all traces of Squire Ultra immediately after spraying using a proprietary cleaner, eg All Clear Extra®

Product Profile

SQUIRE ULTRAA sulphonylurea herbicide for control of docks and

some annual broad-leaved weeds in grassland.

PRODUCT PROFILE

Active ingredient: 75% amidosulfuron

Formulation: water dispersible granule

MAPP number: 14401

Pack size: 240g. ( 8 x 240g per case)

Pallet size: 120 x 8 x 240g

RECOMMENDATIONS

Crops: Grassland

Target: Docks, cleavers, charlock, shepherds purse,

fleld forget-me-not. See label for details.

Spray when docks are at a suitable growth stage.

Rate 60g/ha

Water volume: 200-400L water/ha

Spray quality: MEDIUM to FINE.

Maximum Total Doses: 60g/ha.

Time of application. From 1st Feb to 30 June on rotational grass

From 1st Feb to 15 Oct on permanent grass

KEY BENEFITS

• No LERAP

• Low rate of use

• Safe to white clover

• Good grassland safety

• Excellent control of docks

• Useful control of some other annual weeds

• Flexible timing window for getting maximum dock control

• Prolongs productive life of permanent and rotational grassland

• Slow systemic movement in weed root systems results in high level control

• Target specific – minimal impact on non-competitive species which are

important for wildlife.

APPLICATION GUIDE

• LERAPS No LERAP

• COSHH: Regulations may apply to the use of the product.

• Drift: Avoid spray drift onto neighbouring crops.

• Washout Follow label wash-out instructions

ALWAYS READ THE LABEL: USE PESTICIDES SAFELY Apr09 ®Bayer Cropscience