Product helps combat weeds in pastures

Weeds are a source of insomnia for many livestock farmers, as they are the main competitors for pasture productivity, consuming soil nutrients and space. Furthermore, invaders can indirectly cause other serious problems. Some species are toxic and, if ingested, can even lead to the death of animals. Others have thorns and can injure the herd, creating space for flies, ticks and botflies.

Among the control methods that exist on the market today are mechanical, through mowing with a manual scythe or tractor-powered brush cutter, and chemical, with selective products of systemic action that act only on the invasive plant.

The mechanical action has low effectiveness, as cutting the upper part does not eliminate the plant's physiological reserve, which is the root, thus stimulating rapid regrowth. The chemical application is highly effective, as it causes the invasive plant's vegetative growth to completely stop and its death, thus favoring the vegetative development of the pasture.

To help producers combat these invaders, Rotam do Brasil provides the Metsuram 600 WG herbicide. “Chemical control has been proven to have high operational performance, less labor input when compared to mechanical control, and the cost-benefit ratio is highly favorable, as it is only done once. Furthermore, the Metsuram 600 WG offers greater practicality, especially in large areas”, says Vitor Raposo, Rotam do Brasil marketing manager.

The great advantage of this technology is its high efficiency in controlling a weed with the common name of “Enio Button”. “This plant is very common in the Amazon region (Pará, North of Tocantins and North of Mato Grosso), these are the largest regions where the product is also used, especially on very extensive properties. The molecule Metsulfuron Methyl is the best in controlling this plant”, says Raposo.

Productive gain

O Metsuram 600 WG is a selective herbicide with systemic action from the sulfonylurea group indicated for post-emergence weed control. For high infestation, apply to the entire area, and for uneven infestation (in patches or patches) apply in a spray directed onto the plants. Always using PPE, follow the label and leaflet information and the instructions of an agronomist. “Control with Metsuram 600 WG completely eliminates the invasive plant, allowing the pasture to express its vegetative potential and provide an increase in meat and milk production per area”, says marketing manager Rotam do Brasil.

Studies by DETEC agronomic consultancy and consultancy prove that the elimination of invasive plants from pastures can represent an increase of up to 90% in animal stocking, and consequently in weight gain per area. In the case of milk production, the increase in pasture and greater animal capacity provide a greater number of cows per area and an increase of up to 58% in milk production in the same space. The recommendation for the use of herbicides in pastures is during the time of implementation or reform of the pasture, since, normally, the seed bank of invasive plants in the soil is large and germination will occur from this seed or the regrowth of plants along with the new pasture. Always follow the instructions of technicians and agronomists.