Walker570 Posted July 19, 2022 Report Share Posted July 19, 2022 is it getting more prevolent as I seem to be seeing it all over the place. We are constantly diging up plants which seed down from plants next door where they never get touche and this morning driving back from Sutton Coldfield, just coming into Mile Oak I saw a field around 20 acres and it was solid with the plant. Looked like they where growing it as a commercial crop. I thought it was classed as an 'injurious weed' ....don't councils take action these days or ain't it woke enough. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oowee Posted July 19, 2022 Report Share Posted July 19, 2022 I dont think there are grounds for a council to take action. I dont think there are any notifiable weeds. ?? The five weeds covered by the 1959 Act are common ragwort, spear thistle, creeping or field thistle, curled dock and broad-leaved dock. Common ragwort is poisonous to animals, in particular horses. The others, if allowed to spread, compete with and suppress grass and crop plants. The five weeds covered by the 1959 Act are not "notifiable" as such and there is no obligation to report their presence to anyone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matone Posted July 19, 2022 Report Share Posted July 19, 2022 Too many townies in the countryside who know nothing about land management other than tipping horses onto it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnfromUK Posted July 19, 2022 Report Share Posted July 19, 2022 I spent a couple of (part) days digging it out of my fields just before the hot weather. Never had any significant amount before. I'm pretty sure the reason is that the farm opposite (up wind as well) doesn't cultivate the headlands (I think they are paid not to as part of rewilding type stuff) and the seeds have blown onto my land. I'm pretty sure this is the case because the only area I have trouble is opposite that bit of his. They are not allowed to spray it out because it would kill other 'desirable weeds' which are good for the wild birds and insects. His paid for headland is riddled with the stuff. As mine is used for a hay crop, it has to be pulled/dug and it is a problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Westward Posted July 19, 2022 Report Share Posted July 19, 2022 A couple of times a year back in the nineties the farmer next door used to pay my sons a bit of pocket money to pull it out. Usually after couple of wet days when the ground was soft. IIRC he had them throw it into the hedges. They had a DIY livery on the farm for about a dozen horses so ragwort wasn't a risk he wanted to take. There are probably about 15 laws preventing farmers from using the local kids doing now! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnfromUK Posted July 19, 2022 Report Share Posted July 19, 2022 In theory you can report it to Natural England who will do something ........ https://www.gov.uk/guidance/stop-ragwort-and-other-harmful-weeds-from-spreading#report-harmful-weeds However on past experience the only thing they do is require mass form filling then eventually all goes quiet. Never any actual action. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cuffy Posted July 19, 2022 Report Share Posted July 19, 2022 I always thought ragwort was a notifiable weed and had to be sorted . But as it's mostly growing all along the roadside and the local councils don't bother doing anything , why should anyone else bother . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matone Posted July 19, 2022 Report Share Posted July 19, 2022 They should bother because it`s a cumulative poison that kills horses and livestock ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mice! Posted July 19, 2022 Report Share Posted July 19, 2022 32 minutes ago, Westward said: A couple of times a year back in the nineties the farmer next door used to pay my sons a bit of pocket money to pull it out. Usually after couple of wet days when the ground was soft. IIRC he had them throw it into the hedges. They had a DIY livery on the farm for about a dozen horses so ragwort wasn't a risk he wanted to take. There are probably about 15 laws preventing farmers from using the local kids doing now! We spent a day pulling it out years ago because there was no grouse shooting that day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
team tractor Posted July 19, 2022 Report Share Posted July 19, 2022 I guess they’ve given up nev as it’s in for houses . The whole lot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jall25 Posted July 19, 2022 Report Share Posted July 19, 2022 I think a horse has to eat about 10 or 20 percent of its weight to harmed ? Ragwort is very valuable for wildlife though i do understand peoples concerns Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walker570 Posted July 20, 2022 Author Report Share Posted July 20, 2022 9 hours ago, team tractor said: I guess they’ve given up nev as it’s in for houses . The whole lot One of Mr Smiths fields is it? 11 hours ago, matone said: Too many townies in the countryside who know nothing about land management other than tipping horses onto it. About right but a lot of the ground I see has obviously been purchased for future building and just abandoned. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rimfire4969 Posted July 20, 2022 Report Share Posted July 20, 2022 12 hours ago, cuffy said: I always thought ragwort was a notifiable weed and had to be sorted . But as it's mostly growing all along the roadside and the local councils don't bother doing anything , why should anyone else bother . I think if it was notifiable just about everyone in the country would need to notify as it is everywhere. I have always understood that the land owner had to clear any Ragwort which we do. Just found this info below: Under the Weeds Act 1959, landowners/occupiers must control ragwort within risk areas for grazing or forage production. This means there is a legal obligation to remove ragwort where it's growing on this land or there is a high risk of spread to it. I rent out a few fields for horses and have it written into their grazing contract that they have to pull the Ragwort. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dougy Posted July 20, 2022 Report Share Posted July 20, 2022 2 hours ago, rimfire4969 said: I rent out a few fields for horses and have it written into their grazing contract that they have to pull the Ragwort. I would be amazed if the liverys were not already aware of the problems with it. I'm no expert but it's a toxin that builds up in the liver. It can end up in hay from cut fields then fed to the horses unknowingly. So over time, how long depends on the amount, will and does kill. The amount will vary depending on size/weight of the animal, 50 to 200 grams per kg of body weight is enough to damage the liver. Not a nice way to go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peck Posted July 20, 2022 Report Share Posted July 20, 2022 15 hours ago, matone said: They should bother because it`s a cumulative poison that kills horses and livestock ! only if they eat it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dougy Posted July 20, 2022 Report Share Posted July 20, 2022 4 hours ago, peck said: only if they eat it. Confucius say all poisons are OK as long as you don eat it, Gwas hopper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
team tractor Posted July 20, 2022 Report Share Posted July 20, 2022 12 hours ago, Walker570 said: One of Mr Smiths fields is it? About right but a lot of the ground I see has obviously been purchased for future building and just abandoned. Possibly but hs2 have also purchased a lot around there . it’s been a long time since I seen roger smith . I deal with Chris mostly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walker570 Posted July 21, 2022 Author Report Share Posted July 21, 2022 Yes, might be HS2. Sent a letter to the Telegraph, see if they pick up on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.