Establish a dense, healthy, and uniform turf on a fine, weed-free seedbed by following a step by step approach to preparation, sowing, and post-sowing care. Planning Timing: Choose the appropriate season for turf species (e.g., spring or early autumn for cool-season grasses like ryegrass, late spring for warm-season grasses like couch and kikuyu). Seed Blend Selection: Our lawn and turf seed blends include: Site Preparation Weed Control: Eliminate existing lawn and weeds using a non-selective herbicide such as Glyphosate Green 360 or a glyphosate free alternative such as Macho Duo. 6 hours before any rain. Always read label Fallow: Allow 10-14 days, which is sufficient time for herbicide to breakdown existing grasses and weeds. Clear Debris: Remove rocks, sticks, and […]
Category: Weed & Pest Advice
Woody Weed Management: Late spring and summer control
Farmers are well aware that woody weeds can significantly impact the productivity and persistence of pastures long term if infested with woody weeds. Late spring and early summer presents an opportunity to tackle these weeds. Why? Timing Product such as Triclopyr Picloram, Clopyralid, Metsulfuron, MCPA750 offer effective solution for managing invasive species, providing targeted long-lasting results when used correctly. Below is a guide to understanding its features, application methods, and considerations for optimal control of spring woody weeds. Triclopyr Picloram Clopyralid Metsulfuron-Methyl MCPA750 Drift Management Post Spray Management Allow weeds to remain undisturbed for optimal results. Avoid grazing, cutting for as long as possible to ensure the chemical is fully distributed and provides complete control. Conclusion Choosing the right herbicide […]
Early season weed control is a must!
By mid December most southern Victorian maize silage paddocks will have been sown, so follow up weed control checks are the next important stage to ensure farmers protect yield potential and crop net returns. Pre-emergence herbicides like s-metolachlor and atrazine are highly effective in controlling the majority of early weed flushes in maize, forming the backbone of a strong weed management program. These herbicides provide broad-spectrum control, targeting weeds before they emerge and reducing early competition. However, the temperate climate in southern Victoria often allows for secondary weed germinations later in the season. Despite the effectiveness of pre-emergence applications, some resilient or later-germinating weeds can still break through, necessitating timely post-emergence interventions to ensure the field remains weed-free during critical […]
Protect hay and silage: Armyworm awareness
Armyworms are a recurring threat to hay and silage crops in southern Victoria, with potential to cause significant crop damage if left unchecked. For farmers and harvest contractors, understanding when and how to monitor armyworms can mean the difference between a healthy crop yield and severe losses. We often know of farmers coming back to harvest ryegrass hay paddocks in late spring and early summer, only to be left with ryegrass stripped of all its leafy goodness! This brief guide is designed to help you stay ahead of armyworms by focusing on early detection and timely intervention. Why Armyworm Monitoring Matters Armyworms can devastate a crop quickly, especially in the weeks leading up to harvest. Unfortunately, without regular paddock inspections, […]
Ragwort control in southern Victoria
Notman Pasture Seeds has put together a small guide on controlling Ragwort in southern Victorian pasture such as Gippsland and south-west Victoria. Ragwort growing cycle and how to identify Ragwort, if left undisturbed, follows a distinctive two-year life cycle. In the first year, after most seeds germinate during autumn, the plant forms a low cluster of leaves near the ground, known as a rosette. By the second year, it grows upright, reaching heights of up to 1.5 meters. During this phase, it features twisted dark green leaves and vibrant yellow flowers that cluster at the ends of small branches, giving it a characteristic flat-topped appearance. However, in pastures, ragwort often exceeds this two-year life span due to interactions with grazing […]
Combating winter grass in perennial pastures
As we move into late autumn and early winter, a range of winter grasses and broadleafed weeds begin to germinate in our pastures. Light green in colour with tufted growth habit and seeding from late winter throughout spring and early summer, Poa Annual matures quickly and seeds profusely making them an agressive weed difficult to control. Grazing or mowing is ultimately ineffective in their control as they begin to choke up your pastures. Preventing winter grass establishment is a key component in maximising the performance or your pastures. As you can see by the images below: WINTER GRASSES TRIAL Using Scanner 500 herbicide, Notman Pasture Seeds trialed its effectiveness on winter grasses last season here at Larnder. As you can see there […]
Weed control in new pasture
Weed Control in Pasture – the importance of controlling weeds early. Planning a weed control programme for new grass will help you grow strong, healthy and persistent pasture. TOP TIPS IMPACT Short term: Seedling weeds vigorously compete for nutrients, moisture, light and most importantly, space. Early removal of these weeds allows for more rapid and even establishment resulting in an increased amount of dry matter for your stock. Long term: Poor establishment of newly sown pasture results in a decrease in pasture productivity and an increase in chemical costs from the extra weed control requirements down the track. PRE GRAZING Ideally, you need a herbicide that will not damage the newly established pasture while providing effective weed control. SPRAY GRAZING Spray grazing is an excellent and […]
High risk redlegged earth mite season
Did you know a spring spray is very effective in controlling REDLEGGED EARTH MITES, to prevent damaging populations emerging next autumn? Key points: Spray in spring to control autumn outbreaks Remove females before summer egg laying October 16th ideal spray date for our southern Victorian customers Wet springs, like this season, ideal conditions for populations to flourish In spring RLEM lay diapause eggs which are extremely tough, surviving hot summers, and hatching when cooler, wet conditions arrive in Autumn – often causing significant damage to new pastures. With the help of the Timerite model, a AWI funded CSIRO program, farmers can predict the best date for spring spray, to control redlegged earth mites the following autumn. FOR EXAMPLEPOOWONG: 16th OctoberLatitude:38°20′Longitude:145°44′ […]
Better results from pasture renewal with a final check
Maximising autumn pasture renewal starts with optimising pasture establishment by checking for & eradicating competing weeds & grass – and this can make all the difference in success or sub-optimal establishment of new pasture. A final check of your paddocks before you spray them out this season is the first step towards establishing strong & persistent pasture. It’s an opportunity to find out what weeds are present, taking pictures if you’re unsure, and getting in touch with your local agronomy team to find out what you need to get rid of them. It often as simple as this final check. Peter Notman of Notman Pasture Seeds says even if you’re ticking all the other boxes with good variety selection, adequate soil fertility and start-up fertiliser, this final paddock check before sowing can establish the need to broaden […]