However, this plant can be devastating to livestock if digested. It is a notifiable weed under the Weeds Act 1959 (amended November 2003) and it can be an offence to allow it to seed onto grazing land.
Ragwort severely damages the liver of the grazing animal and there is no treatment. If the animal does not die from the damage caused by ragwort, it may have to be destroyed by a vet. The death can be painful and slow.
It is erroneously thought that ragwort will only affect horses but almost any grazing livestock are at risk including cows, sheep and donkeys.
The logistics are a real problem for control. Ragwort is often seen growing on the sides of motorways and major roads and is extremely difficult to keep under control.
What you need to do to control Ragwort. It will respond to a Glyphosate based systemic herbicide but remember this should only be used a spot treatment because of the totality of the product.
If a systemic herbicide is used, you may still encounter problems because what remains of the plant shrivels up making it more palatable for the animal but no less dangerous.
The best method is pulling of the flowering stems. Once identified, they can be pulled from the soil fairly easily. Digging out of the rosette can be tricky but effective nevertheless.
Once pulled and collected the cuttings should be burnt on a very hot fire so that everything is destroyed. Never ever compost the collected material because you are just potentially returning the seeds to the soil.
There is a valid argument that the plant should be allowed to continue to live in places where it cannot be perceived as a problem because of its ecological values.
Just a note to think about though. 'One years seed is seven years weed'
>More on Ragwort
Comments