So it was time to take a break from wading in a brook, and take to the fields instead - equipped with gardening gloves, and a special ragwort removal fork, we set to work. It was, as we quickly learned, imperative that all of the plant is removed, otherwise it is quick to proliferate. Ragwort is toxic to animals, but they know to avoid it; it becomes an issue when the ragwort becomes incorporated into the hay - this is when poisoning occurs, when they cannot distinguish the plant. It is an accumulative toxin that causes liver failure, so repeated doses are a problem. Removing it with a fork is the most efficient way, as weed killers are not as effective, and cause collateral damage, too. I have to say that I enjoyed removing the Himalayan balsam more... Probably something to do with the wading in streams, and pulling plants from the ground in vast numbers... Only time will tell if pulling up ragwort is more enjoyable.