Targeting weed control early could be vital this spring.

Following a successful autumn drilling campaign for many,  managing weed control issues in winter-sown cereals and targeting them early coming out of the winter, could be vital this spring, to protect the higher crop potential.

In most regions around the UK, conditions in the autumn were very good for establishing a healthy, forward crop of cereals, and even some of the later drilled crops looked quite advanced going into winter. Whilst autumn conditions were good for crop establishment (and autumn weed control programmes), they were also conducive to weed growth!

As we head into the February/March period, growers should therefore keep a close eye on weed establishment and growth in their fields, as planning and applying spring weed control, may be required in a number of situations, to protect yields this season by getting on top of weeds preventing them thriving this spring as their growth activity increases with rising temperatures.

Clayton Plant Protection continue to authorise and develop new generic herbicides to offer growers a wider range of products to provide all important choice, flexibility and cost-effectiveness when planning frontline crop protection programmes each season. Clayton Rockstar and Clayton Aintree are two new herbicides brands being launched in 2026 which offers growers a great option for weed control in cereals this spring. Both are based on powerful, dual-active co-formulations containing pyroxsulam and florasulam.

Timing

The products plus an authorised adjuvant should be applied during periods of active growth (warm temperatures and moist conditions). In winter cereals, Clayton Rockstar and Clayton Aintree can be applied at 265 g/ha from 1 leaf (GS 11) up to and including the 2nd node detectable stage (GS 32) inclusive. In spring sown cereals, apply at 200 g/ha from first tiller detectable (GS 21) but not before March 1st, up to and including the 2nd node detectable stage (GS 32) but not after May 31st.

Clayton Rockstar™, Clayton Aintree™ – Product Focus

Versatile, cost-effective, post-emergence herbicides for autumn and spring use, for controlling problematic grassweeds including wild oats, ryegrass and sterile brome, plus a range of broad-leaved weeds in cereals.

Active ingredients: 1.4% florasulam + 7.1% pyroxsulam

Approved crops: Winter wheat, spring wheat, winter rye, triticale

Use rates:

Winter wheat, winter rye, triticale: 265 g product/ha.

Spring wheat: 200 g product/ha.

Maximum no. of applications (1 per crop).

Key features:

• High performance in winter wheat against wild oats, ryegrasses & bromes to prevent damaging yield losses
• Additional benefit of controlling an extensive range of broad-leaved weeds
• Autumn or Spring use on the label
• Versatility. For use in the spring, either in situations where autumn control was poor or missed, or for specifically targeting spring germinating grassweeds and broad-leaved weeds

Clayton Rockstar /Clayton Aintree – Weed susceptibility 

When applying to actively growing plants, the following weeds are susceptible in winter wheat, winter rye and triticale;

Wild oats (up to 2nd node detectable), Sterile brome (up to 4 tillers), Ryegrass from seed (up to end of tillering), Common field speedwell (up to 6 true leaves), Cleavers (up to 150mm), Ivy-leafed speedwell (up to 6 true leaves), Poppy (up to 6 true leaves), Charlock (up to 6 true leaves), Common chickweed (up to 100mm), Field pansy (up to 4 true leaves), Geranium spp. (up to 8 true leaves), Mayweed spp. (up to 8 true leaves), Volunteer oilseed rape (up to 6 true leaves). Blackgrass (up to 4 tillers) is moderately susceptible. For individual rates of use by weed species, refer to product label.

When applying to actively growing plants, the following weeds are susceptible in spring wheat;

Common field speedwell (up to 6 true leaves), Cleavers (up to 150mm), Ivy-leaved speedwell (up to 6 true leaves), Poppy (up to 6 true leaves), Charlock (up to 6 true leaves), Common chickweed (up to 100mm), Field pansy (up to 4 true leaves), Geranium spp. (up to 8 true leaves), Mayweed spp. (up to 8 true leaves), Volunteer oilseed rape (up to 6 true leaves). For individual rates of use by weed species, refer to product label.