Eight farmers were penalised for having ragwort on their farms in 2019, figures from the Department of Agriculture show.
In total, 31 “notices to destroy” were issued by the Department of Agriculture last year for the presence of ragwort.
Farmers are obliged to keep their lands free from noxious weeds under cross-compliance measures and can see a cut to their payment for not complying.
Noxious Weeds
Under the Noxious Weeds Act 1936, it is an offence for the owner or occupier of lands not to prevent the growth and spread of noxious weeds.
These include ragwort, thistle, dock, wild oat, common barberry and male wild hop.
In 2019, there were a total of 17 penalties issued to farmers in respect of noxious weeds – 12 of which were 1% penalties, three were 3% penalties and two were at a level of a 5% penalty.
It is clear that the responsibility for controlling ragwort in fields lies with the landowner or the manager of the lands in which the plant is present. Farmers have regularly voiced their frustration at ragwort appearing on roadsides, or in public areas and left uncontrolled.
The local authority in charge of maintaining public roads is responsible for the control of ragwort, while landowners or the person in control of the land is responsible for the control of ragwort in fields.
The National Roads Authority lists relevant local authorities as being responsible for controlling ragwort plants in areas such as road verges, landscaped areas or public amenities.
The plant is highly poisonous and toxic to cattle, horses, deer, goats, pigs and chickens, while sheep are less affected.
Cattle generally do not graze the plant in its vegetative state (unless very tight on grass), but once cut, the plant releases sugars which make it much more attractive to grazing animals.
It also presents a large risk where it is contained and saved in hay or silage, therefore control options must take this into account.
It is controlled most effectively by spraying in the rosette stage, with spring and autumn highlighted as two optimum windows for control.
Ploughing, followed by an arable rotation works well, as does a spraying programme if direct seeding, while if pulling by hand or cutting, it is important that plants are collected and destroyed.
Read more
Environment: early intervention key for ragwort control
Use DoxstarPro to kill docks before silage is cut
Eight farmers were penalised for having ragwort on their farms in 2019, figures from the Department of Agriculture show.
In total, 31 “notices to destroy” were issued by the Department of Agriculture last year for the presence of ragwort.
Farmers are obliged to keep their lands free from noxious weeds under cross-compliance measures and can see a cut to their payment for not complying.
Noxious Weeds
Under the Noxious Weeds Act 1936, it is an offence for the owner or occupier of lands not to prevent the growth and spread of noxious weeds.
These include ragwort, thistle, dock, wild oat, common barberry and male wild hop.
In 2019, there were a total of 17 penalties issued to farmers in respect of noxious weeds – 12 of which were 1% penalties, three were 3% penalties and two were at a level of a 5% penalty.
It is clear that the responsibility for controlling ragwort in fields lies with the landowner or the manager of the lands in which the plant is present. Farmers have regularly voiced their frustration at ragwort appearing on roadsides, or in public areas and left uncontrolled.
The local authority in charge of maintaining public roads is responsible for the control of ragwort, while landowners or the person in control of the land is responsible for the control of ragwort in fields.
The National Roads Authority lists relevant local authorities as being responsible for controlling ragwort plants in areas such as road verges, landscaped areas or public amenities.
The plant is highly poisonous and toxic to cattle, horses, deer, goats, pigs and chickens, while sheep are less affected.
Cattle generally do not graze the plant in its vegetative state (unless very tight on grass), but once cut, the plant releases sugars which make it much more attractive to grazing animals.
It also presents a large risk where it is contained and saved in hay or silage, therefore control options must take this into account.
It is controlled most effectively by spraying in the rosette stage, with spring and autumn highlighted as two optimum windows for control.
Ploughing, followed by an arable rotation works well, as does a spraying programme if direct seeding, while if pulling by hand or cutting, it is important that plants are collected and destroyed.
Read more
Environment: early intervention key for ragwort control
Use DoxstarPro to kill docks before silage is cut
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