Treat cleavers now

Treat cleavers now to prevent competition

Don’t be deceived by the cold December, cleavers are tough and, unlike some softer weeds, thrived in those conditions and are now growing away well as the weather starts to warm a little.

“Control cleavers early,” suggests Peter Stacey of Bayer CropScience, “classical competition studies carried out by Long Ashton show they must be controlled before the end of April. If not, and cleavers are allowed to compete until mid-May, 20% or more yield can be lost.”

“Amidosulfuron (as in Eagle) works well under cool conditions and so can be used anytime from now, either alone or in tank-mix, to ensure cleavers do not compete with the crop. With cereal prices at their current level, it is not worth risking yield loss to competition from cleavers.”