LIVESTOCK farmers could see many more perennial weeds like docks and thistles in pasture this spring after last year’s torrential rain.

While many struggled to get their silage harvested, those who had planned to keep on top of weeds by spraying were forced to leave them, as it was never dry enough.

Weed expert David Roberts of Dow AgroSciences, believes up to one-third of the area of grassland that would normally have been treated across the UK was left unsprayed – allowing any weeds present to set seed freely and gain an even stronger foothold.

He said: “There will be millions more dock and thistle seeds lying in the soil waiting to germinate this year and the poor physical state of many fields will not help.

“Weeds are opportunists and establish quickly in bare patches where soil is exposed. Extensive poaching caused by livestock trampling or tractor traffic last summer will be an open invitation for weeds which will replace productive pasture. With silage stocks running low on many farms and concentrate costs sky high, growing weeds instead of grass does not make economic sense.

“Where infestations cover more than five per cent of the field, an overall spray using a tractor-mounted sprayer is the most cost-effective method of perennial weed control.

Translocated herbicides containing the active ingredient triclopyr, which penetrate deep into the root and kill the plant from within, offer the most reliable, long-term control.”