View this email in a browser.
Forage Agronomy Update header
September 2025
Welcome to the Corteva™ Agriscience
Forage Agronomy Update for Ireland

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 @CortevaForage and @CortevaIE on X and @CortevaIE on Facebook.
Contents
Autumn reseeds and weed management with Envy® | Autumn tidy-up with Grazon® Pro | Latest timing for herbicide use on established grassland | Late-season grass silage: Maximise quality with Pioneer® inoculants | End of season dock control |  FAQs | Contact us
Autumn reseeds and weed management with Envy®
As we head into the autumn, managing seedling weeds effectively is key to successful reseeding. If weeds emerge in September, October, or November, they can be treated with Envy offering excellent control of seedling docks and docks growing from root fragments (1.5 l/ha rate), common chickweed, and mouse-eared chickweed.

Best practice tips:

  • Only apply Envy to actively growing weeds.
  • Avoid spraying during drought, extreme heat or cold, or when grass is wet.
  • Clover will be killed by Envy - plan accordingly.
  • Envy performs well even as temperatures cool. 
  • Do not apply if ground frost is imminent or during prolonged cold or dry spells.
  • After drought, allow time for weeds and grass to resume active growth before spraying.
  • Keep livestock out of treated fields for at least 7 days.
Envy® Product Image
Autumn tidy-up with Grazon® Pro
Autumn presents a great opportunity to tackle persistent weeds before winter sets in. Nettles often show fresh leaf growth during this time, making them ideal targets for spraying. It’s also the optimum time to treat brambles, gorse, and broom, which can be more vulnerable as they prepare for dormancy.

Application guidance:

  • Use a dose rate of 60 ml in 10 litres of water.
  • A 1 litre pack provides enough for 16 knapsack fills (each with 10 litre capacity).

Targeting these weeds now helps ensure cleaner pastures and better grass growth in the spring.

Treatment of ragwort should be avoided. Whilst Grazon®Pro does not control ragwort, the effect of spraying can make this poisonous weed palatable to grazing animals.
Ragwort Treatment
Latest timing for herbicide use on established grassland
Active growth is a normal requirement for good translocation of herbicide into roots to achieve a good level of control.

As day length reduces and temperatures drop, active growth will slow down. In response to these changes, consideration must be made when choosing to make a recommendation or when undertaking an application. Further to this, be aware of the cut-off dates for application.
Late-season grass silage: Maximise quality with Pioneer® inoculants
As the silage making stretches into autumn, Irish farmers face increasingly variable conditions that can impact forage quality. Whether you're harvesting wet grass after a late cut or dealing with drier material, choosing the right silage inoculant is essential to preserve nutritional value and reduce spoilage.

Late-season cuts often coincide with wetter weather, making grass more difficult to ferment. Pioneer® Brand 1188 is specifically designed for these conditions. It enhances fermentation, reduces dry matter losses, and improves aerobic stability - helping you maintain feed quality even in challenging conditions. This inoculant is ideal for grass with high moisture content and works effectively to suppress undesirable microbes that thrive in wet silage.

When harvesting dry grass, especially after a prolonged dry spell or late-season sunshine, Pioneer 11G22 Rapid React® is the go-to solution. It promotes rapid fermentation, minimises protein breakdown, and improves aerobic stability. This means better preservation of true protein and reduced heating in the clamp - leading to more palatable and nutritious feed for livestock.

Why use Pioneer inoculants
  • Improved fermentation for better silage stability
  • Reduced nutrient losses during storage
  • Enhanced aerobic stability to prevent spoilage
  • Tailored solutions for both wet and dry grass conditions
End of season dock control
In fields which have been cut, docks will have regrown well and are likely to be in perfect leafy condition for taking up herbicides. Additionally, docks are actively transporting nutrients (and herbicides) down to their roots in preparation for winter. This makes systemic herbicides more effective at killing the whole plant, including the root system, leading to better long-term control.

Treatment options

Where clover is present:

Use ProClova® XL at a rate of 125 g/ha ProClova + 250 ml/ha XL. Overnight temperatures should be forecast to stay above 8°C for three days before and after spraying. Use the ‘Temperature Check’ tool in the Corteva Forage App.

Where clover is not present:

If targeting docks only, apply Doxstar® Pro at 2.0 l/ha.

Timely application ensures better control and sets the stage for cleaner grassland in the following spring.
Dock control
FAQs
When is the ideal time to target docks in the autumn?
Ensure docks are healthy and actively growing before treatment for best results.

What is the recommended application rate of ProClova XL for established grassland in autumn?
Apply 125 g/ha of ProClova® XL combined with 250 ml/ha of XL.

Can I use ProClova XL on newly sown leys in autumn?
Yes - ProClova can be used on newly sown leys until the 31st of October.

Visit the Corteva Forage App to discover our full range of FAQs.
Contact us
If you need technical advice or support, we are here to help.

For all enquiries about inoculants, please contact Andy Stainthorpe using the contact details below:

Andy Stainthorpe
Mobile: +44 7801 183234
Email: andy.stainthorpe@corteva.com

For technical enquiries concerning Corteva herbicides, biostimulants and nitrogen stabilisers, please contact Liz Glynn or the Hotline using the contact details below:

Liz Glynn
Mobile: 086 844 5306
Email: liz.glynn@corteva.com
Contact us
Update your preferences and tailor your choices to make sure you receive the communications that are right for you. Don't forget to enter into our monthly prize draw by ticking the box before submitting to be in with the chance to win!

You can also stay in the loop with all the latest updates by following @CortevaIE on X and Facebook.
IASIS Points
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. © 2025 Corteva. ProClova® XL contains florpyrauxifen-benzyl and amidosulfuron. Envy® contains fluroxypyr and florasulam. Grazon® Pro contains clopyralid and triclopyr. Doxstar® Pro contains triclopyr and fluroxypyr. Thistlex® contains clopyralid and triclopyr. Pastor® Trio contains fluroxypyr, clopyralid and florasulam