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Ragwort is potentially deadly to livestock and the fact that it is more palatable to animals when dead makes it more awkward to control safely.
Ragwort is one of a number of noxious weeds (thistle, dock (included in 1937) wild oats (1973), common barberry (1958) and the male wild hop plant (1965)) listed in the Noxious Weeds Act, which dates back to 1936.
Ragwort (Senecio Jacobea) is also known as ragweed, buachalán and buachalán buidhe.
Who is reponsible for dealing with it in fields and on roadsides?
Where present in fields, responsibility for controlling ragwort lies with the landowner or the manager of the lands in which the plant is present.
The National Roads Authority’s extensive guideline document lists the local authority charged with the maintenance of public roads (verges, medians and other landscaped areas of public roads) as being responsible for controlling such plants listed above.
What's the best time to control it?
The period from July to September is critical for controlling ragwort, with the plant capable of producing between 50,000 and 200,000 seeds during this period.
The seeds can remain viable for five to 20 years, depending on soil conditions.
How is it spread?
Wind is the number one mode of spreading seeds, but animals, water, machinery, hay and silage are also routes of seed dispersal.
How can I control it?
Control of the plants is best carried out through pulling, ploughing, cutting or chemical control.
The fact that the plant is highly poisonous and toxic to cattle, horses, deer, goats, pigs and chickens adds a layer of complexity to control options.
For example, 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 in hay or silage. Therefore, control options must take this into account. Sheep are less affected by consuming ragwort.
Spraying
Where there is a larger number of ragwort plants, many herbicides containing either MCPA, 2,4-D or dicamba can provide good control. Products such as Forefront T will also provide good control.
Spraying in the rosette stage is most effective and the Department of Agriculture’s fact sheet points to late autumn (mid-September to mid-November ) or early spring (mid-February to mid-March) being the best periods to spray.
Where pastures are sprayed, measures must be taken to prevent stock from eating any dying or dead ragwort plants. Ragwort plants become more palatable after spraying so delay grazing or cutting fodder until all plants are dead and sufficiently rotted down.
Ploughing
Ploughing followed by a three to four-year arable rotation or a programme of spraying if direct seeding works well.
Ploughing followed by direct seeding will not be a success unless chemical control of newly germinated ragwort is carried out in the new ley. Extra care should be taken to prevent the development of seeding ragwort in new ley.
Pulling by hand
Pulling ragwort by hand is recommended where the infestation is not severe and labour is available. Pulling ragwort after heavy rainfall when the ground is soft is easier but should be done before seed has set.
Pulled plants should be removed and destroyed. As the seedling and rosette stages are not usually removed by hand pulling, the operation should be repeated for two consecutive years to achieve satisfactory eradication.
How should I dispose of ragwort?
Where possible, the advice is to dispose of ragwort on site, in order to prevent seeds spreading during transport.
Options for disposal include rotting down, composting, incineration, controlled burning and landfill.
If you are transporting ragwort, use sealed bags so as not to spread seeds.
Can I report someone for allowing ragwort to grow?
Those wishing to report the presence of ragwort can find a report form and information here.
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