“Doxstar the best product for docks” says Offaly farmer
George and his son John run an intensive dairy and beef farm at Ballyboy, Kilcormac. They have been using Doxstar for the past 10 years. It is now their clear choice for dock control, especially on silage ground.
“We used some of the older products, like CMPP and 2,4-D, in the past. But these gave only a temporary kill and also had the big handicap of plundering silage and grass yields.
“The docks were taking over and were like a plantation in some fields. Since changing to Doxstar, we have got great control,” said George.
Programme
They operate a two-spray control programme. Dock-infested silage ground is sprayed with Doxstar at 1.5 litres/ha four weeks before cutting. A second application of 1.5 litres/ha is given the following spring to kill off any residual infestation. This eliminates docks for up to three years.
“The key to good control is to have the docks actively growing and they should be at least six inches high. It is also important to use plenty of water – at least 30 gallons/acre,” said George.
They also successfully used Doxstar on the grazing area for many years. Paddocks were sprayed in May with a second application in the autumn or the following spring. In recent years, they have switched to Forefront, the new product that controls docks and all other major weeds, including thistles and nettles, in permanent pasture in a single application. Some grazing paddocks that were sprayed with Forefront back in 2009 and 2010 are still relatively clean from docks.
System
The Gills run a high-yielding 80-cow spring and autumn calving dairy herd, supplying liquid milk to Arrabawn Co-op. Average yield is over 8,000 litres (1,800 gals).
All progeny are reared on the farm as replacements and to bull and heifer beef. They also fatten 100 weanling heifers bought-in every autumn.
Cereals and fodder beet are grown for home-feeding.
Huge emphasis is placed on maximising output from grass and quality silage.
This year, cows have been on grass since mid-February. Effective dock control is an integral part of the high-performing, grass-based system.
