Get a head start on weeds in new-sown leys

High levels of weed control must be achieved during the early phases of crop establishment to avoid poor sward performance in new-sown grass leys, warns Duncan Connabeer, Grassland Specialist for Dow AgroSciences.

Removing weed competition when grass is growing vigorously will allow grass to fill in the gaps left by weeds, making best use of the available nitrogen in the ground.

"Weeds compete with grass for nutrients and light throughout the life of the crop," Mr Connabeer explains, "so ensuring good weed control early in a new-sown ley is essential to establish a healthy sward, and helps to ensure that it is capable of lasting many seasons.

"Chickweed, the most aggressive of the annual weeds, easily establishes itself in thin crops. Therefore it is vital to ensure that the seed bed is of good quality so that the crop will emerge quickly and evenly, helping to minimise the problem from the start."

Left untreated, newly-sown grassland can become smothered by chickweed, which consequently leaves large bare patches in the sward where the chickweed has killed the young grass.

"Although not clover-safe, products such as Pastor and Doxstar are extremely good value for money. They offer more robust control of the must-control weeds such as chickweed and can be used into the autumn. Where clover is important, sometimes the best course of action is to protect the grass from aggressive weeds during autumn, and 'stitch-in' clover in the spring."