Supporting farming and agriculture in Yorkshire: Nufarm’s summer grassland Agronomy Solutions

After a difficult spring, many grassland farmers may feel they have missed the opportunity for effective weed control. Prolonged wet and cold conditions, followed by a sharp turn to dry weather, have made timely applications challenging. As a result, perennial weeds such as docks, thistles and ragwort have been left to establish in many swards.

However, summer offers a valuable second chance to regain control and drive grassland performance.

Following silage or hay cutting, or after grazing and topping, weeds return in a uniform, leafy growth stage. At this point, they are actively translocating nutrients down to their roots to build reserves for winter. This makes them particularly vulnerable to herbicide application, allowing for more effective control and improved root kill.

Boosting growth

Products such as Thrust, which combines 2,4-D and dicamba, are ideally suited to this timing. Applied to actively growing weeds, Thrust delivers reliable, broad-spectrum control of key problem species including docks, thistles, ragwort and buttercup, while remaining safe on established grassland. With a practical 14-day grazing interval and flexibility for use across silage and grazing systems, it provides a dependable solution for livestock farms looking to tidy up swards through the summer months.

Newly sown leys should also remain a priority. Early intervention is essential, as seedling weeds are far easier to control than established perennials. Solutions such as PastureMaster in combination with Tomahawk offer effective control of a wide range of young, competitive weeds, helping new leys establish cleanly and maximise their productive potential from the outset.

Bracken control

For more challenging situations, including bracken control in established grassland, tank mixes incorporating Thrust and Squire Ultra can provide a robust approach when applied at the correct growth stage, ensuring longer-term suppression and improved pasture quality.

Beyond weed control, summer is also a key period for maximising grass production. With input costs under scrutiny, increasing home-grown forage remains a priority for many businesses. This is where biostimulant technology is gaining traction.

Prairie Verte, a foliar-applied biostimulant developed specifically for grassland, can be applied after each cut in multi-cut systems to support regrowth. By enhancing photosynthesis and nutrient translocation within the plant, Prairie Verte helps drive dry matter production, with trials showing increases of up to 12% and, in some cases, significantly higher. When used to offset purchased feed, this can deliver a strong return on investment while improving overall system efficiency.

Acting now can make the difference between carrying weed burden forward—or building a cleaner, more productive grassland system for the year ahead.

Need advice or product support?

Nufarm’s grassland range is designed to deliver reliable, forage-friendly solutions across all systems. For more information on products, speak to your local distributor or visit: www.nufarm.com/uk

Nufarm are the headline sponsors for The Yorkshire Post Rural Awards 2026