Welcome to the Corteva AgriscienceTM
Forage Agronomy Update
These regular technical notes come with CPD points and will help those interested in improving grassland and forage productivity on dairy, beef, sheep and equestrian enterprises. We post frequently on our social media channels, so you’ll want to make sure you’re following @CortevaIE on X and Facebook.
|
|
|
Effective dock control between silage cuts with Doxstar® Pro | Getting on top of Ragwort | How to manage Thistles this season | Critical success factors for newly sown ley weed control | Principal® Forte a complete solution for maize weed control |
Instinct® in maize herbicide programmes | BlueN™ - supporting nitrogen efficiency in maize as crops enter rapid growth | Choosing the right Pioneer® silage inoculant for second-cut grass in 2026 | FAQs | Come and see the team | Contact us | IASIS points
|
|
|
|
Effective dock control between silage cuts with Doxstar® Pro
|
For effective dock control between silage cuts, it’s essential to allow sufficient regrowth before spraying so that weeds can actively take up the herbicide. Doxstar® Pro gives proven, reliable and long-lasting control of both curled and broad-leaved docks, and is also very effective on chickweed if present. Doxstar Pro has excellent grass safety but will kill clover. For best results, apply at dose rate of 2.0 l/ha on docks that show active growth.
Learn more about Doxstar Pro here.
|
|
Getting on top of Ragwort
|
Ragwort is highly toxic to livestock, particularly when it is wilted, damaged, or dead and is classified as an injurious weed; therefore it must not be allowed to spread or set seed. Forefront® T is the most effective approach in grazing fields for cattle and sheep, applied at 2.0 l/ha when plants are young, actively growing, and at the rosette stage up to 200 mm in height.
Timing is critical, with May and June offering the best window for treatment. Compared with mechanical topping, which can be costly and often fails to control younger plants, spraying provides a more reliable and comprehensive solution. Forefront T works quickly and controls a wider range of common weeds typically present in grazing fields. Following application, livestock must be kept out of treated areas until any ragwort has fully recovered or died and there is no visible sign of the dead weed.
Click here to view our Forefront T Best Practice Guidelines.
|
|
How to manage Thistles this season
|
Creeping thistle and spear thistle are the two main species, and both can be effectively controlled with the new Thistlex® Pro.
NEW Thistlex Pro applied at 1.67 l/ha can be utilised when weeds are actively growing prior to flowering and between 150 mm and 300 mm in height or diameter. Timely treatment is key, as allowing thistles to flower can result in reduced levels of control and seeding. Avoid treating stressed weeds, as poor growth will limit herbicide uptake and movement to the roots. It could also cause an apical dominance effect in creeping thistles which will cause the roots to grow additional plants.
NEW Thistlex Pro also controls a range of other weeds commonly found in grazing fields, including buttercups, dandelions, hogweed, and cow parsley. While buttercups can still be effectively treated at flowering, care should be taken to protect pollinators by spraying early in the morning or later in the evening. The product has a 14-day grazing interval in the absence of ragwort, making it suitable for use within grazing systems.
|
|
Critical success factors for newly sown ley weed control
|
Successful weed control in newly sown leys starts with regular monitoring to identify any infestations early. Tackling weeds at the seedling stage is essential, as smaller plants are far more susceptible to herbicides and are both easier and cheaper to control than more mature weeds. Attention should be paid to common problem species such as chickweed, docks, and thistles, although other weeds including mayweed, shepherd’s purse, annual meadow-grass, redshank, and pansy may also be present.
|
|
Selecting the right product and timing based on weed pressure and sward composition will ensure the best establishment and long-term performance of the ley. A range of herbicide options are available for use in new leys. See below.
|
|
Principal® Forte - a complete solution for maize weed control
|
Use Principal Forte for highly effective broad-spectrum weed control with exceptional crop safety. The 3 active ingredients: nicosulfuron, rimsulfuron and dicamba combine to deliver control of all key grass and broad-leaved weeds. This formulation and dose rate ensures that many problem weeds, such as fat hen, bindweeds, nightshade and thornapple, are better controlled than with other post-emergence herbicide options such as mesotrione and nicosulfuron mixes. Principal Forte also contains isoxadifen, a proven crop safener, bringing reassurance with respect to crop safety.
Principal Forte must be used with a non-ionic surfactant or vegetable oil adjuvant.
|
Instinct® in maize herbicide programmes
|
As maize crop establishment continues, early June remains an excellent opportunity to include Instinct in pre or early post‑emergence herbicide applications. It can be applied alongside approved maize herbicides, allowing growers to protect applied nitrogen without the need for additional field passes. Instinct® works by slowing the conversion of ammonium to nitrate, helping to retain more nitrogen within the root zone during the critical period of maize growth demand through early summer. This function becomes particularly important as soil temperatures rise and nitrification rates increase, heightening the risk of nitrogen loss just as crop uptake begins to accelerate.
When applied with pre‑emergence herbicides, rainfall incorporation effectively meets the requirements of both the herbicide and Instinct, simplifying application management. Instinct is compatible with a wide range of maize herbicides, although growers should always consult the latest Corteva tank mix recommendations and adhere to individual product labels. Including Instinct in early June programmes helps safeguard nitrogen investment, supports efficient crop nutrition, and contributes to reducing nitrogen losses to both water and air, all while integrating seamlessly into existing herbicide timings.
|
|
BlueN™ - supporting nitrogen efficiency in maize as crops enter rapid growth
|
As maize crops move through the 4–8 leaf stage and into rapid vegetative growth, nitrogen demand increases sharply. BlueN provides an additional, in‑plant source of nitrogen to help support crop momentum during this critical period.
BlueN is a nutrient‑efficiency biostimulant containing Methylobacterium symbioticum. Once applied to an actively growing crop, it colonises the leaf and helps maintain nitrogen availability through key growth phases.
Why apply BlueN to maize now?
- Targets the establishment → rapid growth window (GS14–18), when nitrogen demand accelerates
- Supports nitrogen availability within the plant, complementing applied fertiliser programmes
- One timely application to support crop consistency and yield potential through the season
Across UK and European maize trials, BlueN has delivered consistent improvements in dry matter yield and forage performance in the majority of situations, when applied under suitable growing conditions.
- Identify optimal temperature windows
- Reduce risk from cold nights and heat stress
- Support better colonisation and more reliable outcomes
|
|
Choosing the right Pioneer® silage inoculant for second-cut grass in 2026
|
Planning second-cut grass silage and unsure which Pioneer inoculant best fits your conditions this season?
Use the Pioneer inoculant decision tree alongside the product summaries below to match the inoculant to your grass' dry matter, sugar levels and likely ensiling challenge. For full guidance on the current range, visit our website.
Before deciding, always check silage coefficients for the forage being cut to understand how challenging fermentation and aerobic stability are likely to be.
|
|
Designed for more difficult early or leafy second-cut grass silage. Best suited to wetter grass silage (below ~30% DM) and low-sugar situations, where fast acidification is critical. 1188 contains complementary, proprietary lactic acid bacteria that work together to drive a rapid and efficient pH drop, helping to protect dry matter and preserve forage quality.
A strong choice where aerobic stability is a priority. In addition to fast pH reduction, the Rapid React (RR) Lactobacillus buchneri strains allow aerobic stability to be achieved in as little as 7 days after sealing, significantly reducing heating risk compared with non-RR formulations. Well suited to higher dry matter grass, slower feed-out, or warmer conditions.
Pioneer 11G22 RR – Organic formulation
Certified for organic producers, with the same fermentation and aerobic stability benefits as the 11G22 RR formulation.
Please note: shelf life is one year from the date of manufacture. Always specify 11G22 RR – Organic use when ordering.
A triple-action solution for grass silage. Improves fermentation efficiency, aerobic stability, and fibre digestibility. Contains patented microbial technology that produces ferulate esterase enzymes during fermentation, helping unlock fibre and support improved animal performance from grass silage.
Targeted at high dry matter grass silages where heating risk is high. Particularly effective where challenges include longer chop lengths, summer cuts, slower feed-out rates or lower compaction, all of which increase the risk of aerobic instability. Uses powerful Pioneer Lactobacillus buchneri strains to help suppress yeasts and moulds and minimise heating at feed-out. Also available in a Rapid React formulation.
|
|
|
|
A: Yes, it’s a label weed. The best time to apply is between June-August when the gorse is actively growing. If the gorse is large now, we suggest cutting it back and then spraying once there’s some regrowth.
Q: Can Grazon Pro be applied through a boom sprayer?
A: No, the label approval is for knapsack spot treatment only using the dilution rate of 60 mls Grazon Pro in 10 litres water.
Q: How soon after applying ProClova® XL can grass be reseeded to thicken the sward and fill the gaps left by the dying docks?
A: Grass can be reseeded 6 weeks after applying ProClova XL. Bear in mind that the product can take up to 3 weeks to work on the weeds which can take longer in dry conditions.
|
|
|
Join us at Cereals Event 10-11 June at Diddly Squat Farm where you can connect with our team, discover the latest insights in forage and grassland, and learn more about our new solutions.
|
|
|
Our hotline team are also on hand to answer any queries or concerns you have.
|
|
|
|
10 IASIS Points will be awarded for those subscribing to the Forage Agronomy Update.
|
|
|
|
|
|
USE PLANT PROTECTION PRODUCTS SAFELY. Always read the label and product information before use. For further information including warning phrases and symbols refer to label. ®™ Trademarks Corteva Agriscience Limited and its affiliated companies. All other brand names are trademarks of other manufacturers for which proprietary rights may exist. All manufacturers trade names and trademarks are duly acknowledged. © 2026 Corteva. Doxstar® Pro contains fluroxypyr and triclopyr. Forefront® T contains aminopyralid and triclopyr. Thistlex® Pro contains clopyralid and halauxifen-methyl. ProClova® XL contains florpyrauxifen-benzyl and amidosulfuron. Principal® Forte contains nicosulfuron, rimsulfuron, dicamba and isoxadifen. Instinct® contains nitrapyrin. BlueN™ contains Methylobacterium symbioticum. Kinsidro® Grow+ contains fulvic Acid, humic acid, potassium oxide (10%), sodium oxide (3.75%), sulfur trioxide (6.25%), boron (0.04%), cobalt (0.04%), copper (0.04%), manganese (0.04%), molybdenum (0.005%), zinc (0.05%). Grazon® Pro contains clopyralid and triclopyr.
 | | | | |
