Welcome to the Corteva™ Agriscience
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 @CortevaUK on X and Facebook.
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BlueN™ – supporting nitrogen efficiency in forage maize | ProClova® XL use on newly sown leys and herbal leys | Thistlex® Pro – enhanced broadleaf weed control | Targeting buttercups for effective control | Grazon® Pro and spot spraying | FAQs | Contact us | IASIS points
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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 (up to 90% ground cover or less than 12 months old) up to 31st October, with June and July representing the optimal timing for treatment to achieve the best results. For established leys (over 90% ground cover or 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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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®, Pastor® Trio, Thistlex® Pro, Halcyon®, 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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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 separately.
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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Area Manager and National Technical Manager: Liz Glynn on 086 844 5306 or liz.glynn@corteva.com. Visit our website www.corteva.com/ie for product information, labels and advice. Our hotline team are also on hand to answer any queries or concerns you have.
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10 IASIS Points will be awarded for those subscribing to the Forage Agronomy Update.
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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. BlueN™ contains Methylobacterium symbioticum. ProClova® XL contains florpyrauxifen-benzyl and amidosulfuron. Thistlex® contains clopyralid and triclopyr. Thistlex® Pro contains clopyralid and halauxifen-methyl. Forefront® T contains aminopyralid and triclopyr. Envy® contains fluroxypyr and florasulam. Pastor® Trio contains fluroxypyr, clopyralid and florasulam. Grazon® Pro contains clopyralid and triclopyr. Doxstar® Pro contains fluroxypyr and triclopyr. Halcyon® contains aminopyralid and fluroxypyr.
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