Herbicides for Variegated Thistle Control

​These herbicide recommendations are made subject to the product being registered for that purpose under relevant legislation. It is the user's responsibility to check that registration or an off-label permit covers the proposed use. Always read the herbicide label.

If in doubt, visit the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) website at www.apvma.gov.au.

Only herbicides registered for use in pasture and non-cropping situations are listed in the following table. For recommendations in specific crops consult an agronomist.

Wetting Agents

Carefully consult the product label for specific directions regarding the use of wetting agents or adjuvants.

Waterways and Wetlands

Be careful! Many herbicides can cause damage to waterways and wetlands. Check the herbicide label directions carefully before use near waterways and wetlands. For more information see Guidelines for Safe and Effective Herbicide Use Near Waterways.

Herbicide Brands and Concentrations

Herbicides are referred to by the active chemical ingredient in the following table. The product trade names in this publication are supplied on the understanding that no preference between equivalent products is intended and that the inclusion of a product does not imply endorsement by DPIPWE over any other equivalent product from another manufacturer. Information on available brands containing the herbicide you require should be obtained from a reputable herbicide supplier or the APVMA website at www.apvma.gov.au.

Boom Spray Application

Stage of Growth	Herbicide (active ingredient)	Example of commercial product (concentration of active ingredient)	Application rate of commercial product	Withholding period	Comments
Seedlings (up to 2 leaf stage)	MCPA/diflufencian	Tigrex ® (250 g/L MCPA +25 g/L diflufencian)	1 L/ha	7 days	Consult with your agronomist if spraying in clovers or oats.
Seedlings (up to 4 leaf stage)	Bromoxynil/ diflufenican	Jaguar ® (250g/L Bromoxynil+ 25 g/L diflufenican)	1.1 L/ha	14 days	Use for newly sown and established pastures. Application is recommended prior to the 8th trifoliate leaf stage in clovers and lucerne.
Seedlings and medium sized rosettes	MCPA amine	(500 g/L)	1.5 L/ha	7 days	Do not spray before pasture is 75 mm tall. The use of MCPA is preferred to 2,4-D (amine and ester) in situations where legumes are undersown in the crop.
		Agritone® 750 (750 g/L)	960m L/ha	7 days
Rosette ​	2, 4-D amine	Amicide® 625 (625 g/L)	1.4 L/ha	7 days	The use of MCPA is preferred to 2,4-D (amine and ester) in situations where legumes are undersown in the crop. This product may only be used from 15 April to 15 Sept unless permitted by the Registrar of Chemical Products, DPIPWE.
	2, 4-D ester	Estercide® Xtra 680 (680 g/L)	800ml - 3.3 L/ha	7 days	Use when thistles have started to shoot and become more resistant to other herbicides. The use of MCPA is preferred to 2,4-D (amine and ester) in situations where legumes are undersown in the crop. Can cause stock poisoning. This product may only be used from 15 April to 15 Sept unless permitted by the Registrar of Chemical Products, DPIPWE.
Rosettes and shooting plants	Clopyralid	Lontrel® 750 SG (750 g/L)	20 or 28 g/ha + 1 - 1.5 L/ha MCPA amine (500 g/L)	7 days	Use higher rates on multicrowned plants or large rosettes. Treat rosette stage prior to stem elongation. Spraying may be done any time during active growth, usually early winter to spring. Clovers and medics will be eliminated for at least 12 months.
Seedling - young rosette	MCPA + Dicamba	Kamba® M (340 g/L MCPA+ 80 g/L Dicamba)	2.8 - 4.0 L/ha	7 days	Use higher rate on larger weeds.

Spot Spray Application

Stage of growth	Herbicide (active ingredient)	Commercial product (concentration of active ingredient)	Application rate of commercial product	Withholding Period	Comments
Seedlings and medium sized rosettes	MCPA amine	(500 g/L)	15 ml/10L water	7 days	The use of MCPA is preferred to 2,4-D (amine and ester) in situations where legumes are undersown.
		Agritone® 750 (750 g/L)	13 ml/10 L water
Rosettes	2,4-D amine	Amicide® 625 (625 g/L)	14 ml/ 10 L water	7 days	The use of MCPA is preferred to 2,4-D (amine and ester) in situations where legumes are undersown. This product may only be used from 15 April to 15 Sept unless permitted by the Registrar of Chemical Products, DPIPWE.
	2,4-D ester	Estercide® Xtra 680 (680 g/L)	8m L/10 L water	7 days	Use when thistles have started to shoot and become more resistant to other herbicides. The use of MCPA is preferred to 2,4-D (amine and ester) in situations where legumes are undersown. Can cause stock poisoning. This product may only be used from 15 April to 15 Sept unless permitted by the Registrar of Chemical Products, DPIPWE.
Up to early bud stage	MCPA/dicamba	Kamba® M (340 g/L MCPA+ 80 g/L dicamba)	60 ml/15 L water	7 days	Use up to the early bud stage.
All Stages - while plant actively growing	Glyphosate	(360 g/L) Roundup PowerMAX® (540g/L)	75-100 ml/15 L water 50-70 mL/15 L water	Nil	Apply higher rates to plants over 15cm tall. Non-selective and will damage or kill trees and grasses that come into contact with spray drift. Stock should be excluded for at least seven days to allow for good control. Addition of surfactant required. See label for details.
		Roundup® Biactive™ (360 g/L)	75 - 100 mL/15 L water		Non-selective and will damage or kill trees and grasses that come into contact with spray drift. Suitable for use near waterways.
Early flowering	Clopyralid	Lontrel® 750 SG (750 g/L)	1 ml/L water	Up to 28 days	Can be used on early flowering plants to reduce formation of viable seed. Clovers and medics will be eliminated for at least 12 months.