Managing bracken is regarded as a huge issue not only in Britain, especially with the drop in numbers of grazing animals. It is not un-harmful and water contamination effects are thought to be linked to higher incidence of human stomach cancers.
Historically, a lot of farmers used bracken as bedding in winter for livestock. The bracken and dung could then later be used as fertiliser also. However straw is now cheaper to use and easier than cutting down the bracken. It has also been used in the past for It seems that mainly mice, caterpillars and woodland animals can eat bracken. Moth larvae and invertebrates feast on it.
With no modern use for bracken, it is now controlled with the use of herbicides. Asulox is the marketing leading product in the UK for effectively controlling bracken and it is usually granted emergency approval each year for use between May and September with all product having to be legally disposed of by end of October. However this year in 2020 it has only been approved for aerial use.
So what can I use instead of Asulox in 2020 to get rid of bracken?
If you don't have a helicoper, and lets face it most of us don't, then we have an alternative effective solution for the control of bracken this year with the combination of several products. In areas where there is no grass present then Roundup Pro Vantage 480 however for areas with grass then you will need to use a weed wiper for a more targeted application. It is completely targeted meaning there is no risk of damage to other plants or wildlife. Or you can use Squire which is a selective clover safe herbicide effective against bracken.
Bracken is a tough woody weed so to improve the effectiveness of the herbicide by 20% we strongly recommend using Activate-G. This herbicide enhancer reduces loss of ingredient as it is drawn into the plant rather than evaporating on the surface.Save money and time and mix with Blue Dye to ensure no areas are missed or overdosed.
If you need any further technical advice then our expert team of agronomists will be able to help, just give us a call on 01522 246491 or contact us thorugh our live chat.
