BlueN™ – supporting nitrogen efficiency in forage maize
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As maize crops move through early growth and into rapid development, ensuring a consistent nitrogen supply is key to supporting biomass and yield potential. BlueN is a foliar-applied nutrient efficiency biostimulant containing Methylobacterium symbioticum, designed to improve nitrogen use throughout the crop cycle when applied to actively growing crops, complementing existing fertiliser programmes. BlueN supports nutrient use efficiency and helps maintain crop performance through periods periods of rapid growth.
Key agronomy points:
- Apply to actively growing, non-stressed crops to ensure effective colonisation
- Target applications when crops are around 4-8 leaf stage and building
- Apply in conditions where stomata are open (early morning or late afternoon) and temperatures are typically 10-25°C
With good growing conditions, June is a key window to ensure successful colonisation and maximise the benefit within the crop canopy.
Across UK and European trials, BlueN has consistently delivered yield benefits in maize. In UK trials from 2023 to 2025, BlueN has delivered yield benefits in over 90% of trials, with a 1.6 t/ha average yield benefit in maize.
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ProClova® XL use on newly sown leys and herbal leys
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ProClova XL provides a flexible solution for weed control in both newly sown leys and established grassland. It can be used on newly sown leys (less than 12 months old) up to 31st July, with June and July representing the optimal timing for treatment to achieve the best results. For established leys over 12 months old, applications can be made through to the end of October, with the ideal treatment window running from June through to early September.
Where fields have been cut, reduced energy reserves in dock root stocks can improve long-term control, making post-cut applications particularly effective. ProClova XL has also shown good crop safety to species such as birdsfoot trefoil and chicory when treated during their year of establishment, making it a suitable option for some herbal leys. June and July are particularly well suited for treating spring-sown herbal leys. However, it is important to note that ProClova XL is not safe on plantain or most other herbal species.
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Thistlex® Pro – enhanced broadleaf weed control
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Thistlex Pro replaces Thistlex and combines clopyralid with ArylexTM in an updated formulation. It maintains the same high level of control of both creeping and spear thistles, as a full rate of clopyralid is still applied, while the addition of Arylex extends activity to key weeds such as buttercup, hogweed and cow parsley.
Applications must be made at 1.67 l/ha by 31st July to ensure both compliance and optimal performance. Thistlex Pro is intended for use on established grassland grazed by cattle and sheep and is not clover safe. It should not be used on cutting leys.
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Forefront® T revocation notice
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Forefront T is now under a revocation notice, with existing stocks permitted for sale until 31st May 2027 and a final use-up date of 30th September 2027. This means there is still flexibility to utilise product through the current season and into the autumn, providing plenty of opportunity to clear existing stocks.
Forefront® Pro is now available as the replacement product and delivers identical levels of weed control. Applications of Forefront Pro can be made up to 31st July, offering a straightforward and effective alternative for in-season use.
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Targeting buttercups for effective control
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Control of buttercups is most effective when timed just before flowering, ensuring weeds are actively growing and most susceptible to herbicide uptake. Treating regrowth after cutting for hay or silage is also a strong opportunity, particularly in warmer conditions when rapid growth improves control.
Corteva offers several effective solutions for buttercup control. Envy®, ProGrass™, Thistlex® Pro, Leystar® and Forefront® T all provide excellent results where clover is not present. In established grassland where clover is part of the sward, ProClova® XL used at the established grassland rate offers a reliable option for maintaining control while preserving clover.
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Grazon® Pro and spot spraying
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Grazon Pro offers an effective solution for spot spraying weeds in horse and pony paddocks, as well as wider grassland, allowing targeted treatment without the need for blanket applications. It provides excellent control of key problem species, including docks, thistles and nettles, along with other common grassland weeds.
Where weeds have become large and started to flower, the most effective approach is to top them first and then spray the actively regrowing foliage once it reaches the appropriate size.
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Nettles in established grassland
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Join us at South West Forage Open Day on the 2nd of July at Orway Porch Farm, EX15 2EY.
On demonstration we have:
- Grassland: new product concepts on a spring sown ley – seedling dock, thistle, fat hen, redshank control in spring sown leys.
- Maize: replicated plot trials, new maize herbicides and tank mix work plus new product concept.
- Fodder beet: launch of brand new RinskorTM active in beet.
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Q: Is Pas-Tor still available to purchase?
A: No, but it's components are available separately - Doxstar® Pro = Pas and Thistlex® = Tor. Growers would need to purchase these products separately.
A: Yes they are both physically and biologically compatible. There is no need to add the adjuvant when mixing with Callisto.
Q: I applied ProClova® XL a week ago and the weeds are not dying?
A: ProClova XL does take longer to kill weeds than other Corteva grassland solutions, it can be up to 21 days. If weather has been particularly dry, it can take longer than 3 weeks.
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Click here to find the contact details of your local forage specialist.
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Subscribing to Corteva Agriscience's Forage Agronomy Update gives eligibility for 2 BASIS points and/or 2 NRoSO points. The BASIS code for the 26/27 season has been applied for and will be available in the next edition.
2 NRoSO points will be awarded for subscribing. Please include course name ‘Forage Agronomy Update’ and ref number: NO505980f on the training record and send to nroso@basis-reg.co.uk.These details are valid until 31 August 2026.
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