Utilising quality grazed grass to full effect is one of the best ways of keeping costs down in any livestock system.

 Re-seeds can play an important role in grassland productive. However, when cultivating the ground during this process, the seed bank is disturbed, allowing dormant seeds to germinate, explains David Gurney, Corteva's Field Technical Manager for grassland crop protection.

 He says: "Newly established grass leys are particularly vulnerable to weed invasion because the sown grass species are not yet fully established and can be easily outcompeted by more aggressive weeds. If left unchecked, weeds can dominate the pasture, leading to undesirable species which livestock may not find either palatable or nutritious."

 High prices for fuel, labour, seed and fertiliser make re-seeding a big investment so it is important weed control strategies are in place to gain optimum long-term productivity from newly sown leys.

 Mr Gurney says: "Annual weeds such as chickweed, redshank and fat hen are particularly problematic while seeding perennial weeds such as docks and thistles can also cause real difficulties to the establishing ley. It is vital to control them as they can quickly dominate a new grass ley, reducing its ability to establish successfully and become productive.

 "In new grass leys which include clover, weed control is more challenging. Using Forefront® T after the last grazing or cut in the preceding crop can significantly remove the threat from docks or thistles which might subsequently re-emerge from root fragments.

 "Weed seedlings are more susceptible to herbicides than mature plants so hitting them at the right time is paramount. It is cheaper to control weeds at this young stage than when they are established. Early productivity from the establishing ley will also be better if the weeds are removed early."

 Select the best solution for the weed challenge you face, advises Mr Gurney.

 He says: "Use Envy^® where the main focus is seedling docks establishing from root fragments, chickweed and buttercup. Where docks are likely to be a major issue in the new ley, it is a good idea to use an effective dock spray or glyphosate in the previous crop to reduce the burden of docks growing from root fragments in the new ley. Envy can be applied up to the end of November."

 "Use Leystar® to tackle a wider spectrum of weeds including seedling thistle. Target sprays around six to eight weeks after reseeding. It is important the grasses present are beyond the three-leaf stage before products are applied. Leystar can be applied until late August."

 For more information visit corteva.co.uk/crops/grassland