Dow AgroSciences' Grassweed Emergence Monitoring (GEM)

New for Blackgrass in Winter Wheat: GF-2070

Getting the best Brome and Ryegrass control this Autumn

Volunteer bean control in cereals

Oilseed rape herbicides - Now and Future ...

This edition's FAQs:

- Can I still use Dow Shield on oilseed rape in the autumn? 

- How do I use Kerb Flo on Winter Field Beans?

- Can I still sell Grazon 90?

A crucial step to achieving successful control of headache grassweeds – blackgrass, rye grasses and sterile brome, is to monitor when grassweeds emerge, so that post-emergence treatments can be applied as soon as possible when the weeds have appeared and are actively growing. To help growers and their advisers understand growth of these weeds, Dow AgroSciences is funding an ADAS monitoring scheme for a second year.

At five sites across England including Cambridgeshire, Herefordshire, Humberside, Oxfordshire and Wiltshire, the emergence of grassweeds will be monitored every week during the autumn and in early spring.

The sites will monitor two different drilling timings - September and late October drilling.
Dow AgroSciences will convey information from these monitoring sites throughout the autumn. More soon.

Dow AgroSciences markets a range of products based on its innovative active ingredient pyroxsulam, which is proving successful around the world in tackling both grass and broad-leaved weeds with its contact activity.

GF-2070, a unique blend of Dow AgroSciences’ pyroxsulam with flupyrsulfuron-methyl has been formulated specifically to meet the challenges of UK blackgrass control in winter wheat with the added benefit of controlling a wide range of grass and broad-leaved weeds, plus rotational flexibility.

Approved in June, the product will be marketed under its code number for the 2011/12 season to give you an early opportunity to see the benefits for yourself.

When it comes to blackgrass control, GF-2070 has proved to be every bit as effective as current standards as demonstrated in following NIAB TAG trial:

Source: NIAB TAG trial (Hampshire 2009)

However, it does much more and so will appeal strongly to those farmers who want to achieve the very best results possible in the fight against grassweeds.  It will also enables you to tailor pre-emergence and residual treatments to the key weed challenges in particular fields or farms.

Best use advice for Blackgrass control:

• Must be used as part of a programme and follow WRAG guidelines
  • Following a pre-emergence herbicide - minimum 240g ai/ha flufenacet
• Apply GF-2070 + residual (e.g. 1. 75 L/ha Stomp Aqua or 3L/ha Defy) + adjuvant
  
• Following range of adjuvants are supported:
  • Abacus, Activator 90, Bio Syl, Buzz, Cogent, Drill, Headland Diamond, Headland Fortune, Intracrop Felix, Intracrop Warrior, Kantor, Kinetic, Respond, Roller, Spartan, Spryte Aqua, Tonto, Torpedo II, Viking
• We support multiways of GF-2070 + Adjuvant + Residual + BYDV
  • GF-2070 + recommended adjuvant is compatible with the following residual partners: Auxiliary, Churchill, Defy, Firebird, Kula, Pendimethalin (330g ai/l formulations), Picona, PicoPro, Stomp Aqua
  • GF-2070 + recommended adjuvant + residual partner is compatible with the following BYDV insecticides: Cypermethrin EC, Decis Protech, Fury 10EW, Hallmark Zeon, Karate 2.5 WG, Mavrik, Sumi Alpha
• Optimal timing is in the autumn at 1-2 leaf of the blackgrass
• During actively growing conditions
• Using FF or VPFF 1100 nozzles
• Fine-Medium spray quality
• Water volume 100-150 L/ha (optimum 130 L/ha)
• Follow tank-filling procedure on the label

 
Widest spectrum graminicide in the UK: 

• Excellent control of blackgrass - at least as good as current market standard
• Superior control of ryegrass and all brome species
• Excellent control of wild oats
• Plus in addition activity on: Loose silky bent, canary grass, couch (from seed), meadow grass, volunteer barley
• Extensive range of broad-leaved weeds - charlock, chickweed, pansy, speedwell, geranium spp., groundsel, mayweeds, volunteer rape, volunteer beans and many more
• Rotational cropping flexibility
  • No need for any cultivations prior to sowing following crops including oilseed rape
  • No following crop restrictions in the spring
• Excellent tank mix compatibility
• Broad-leaved weed ALS joint application flexibility including:
  • Alias SX, Ally Express, Ally SX, Barton WG, Boxer, Galaxy, GF-184, Hiker, Hunter, Jubilee SX, Lorate, Slalom, Starane Gold, Starane Vantage, Starane XL

Broadway* Star has proved itself after 3 years of commercial use and is the market standard for brome and ryegrass control in winter wheat, rye and triticale.

Research has indicated that sterile brome and ryegrasses germinate predominantly in the autumn, rather than in the spring. Dow AgroSciences’ trials clearly support this premise as the best efficacy on these grassweeds came from herbicide treatments applied in the autumn. Efficacy appears to decline or become more variable as the weeds get bigger.

Best use advice for Autumn germinating bromes, ryegrass and wild oats:

• Use as part of a programme and follow WRAG guidelines
  • Ideally following a pre-emergence herbicide
• For ryegrass treat from GS 12-29 of the weed
• Control of sterile and great brome is best achieved in the autumn
  • Apply an appropriate pre-emergence herbicide e.g. Crystal
  • Apply in a tank mix with 800g ai/ha of pendimethalin e.g. 1.75L/ha Stomp Aqua
  • Brome – GS 12-23 of the weed
• For autumn germinating wild oats treat from GS 12-30 of the weed
• Apply during periods of active growth
• Apply at 265 g/ha with an approved adjuvant
  • Abacus, Activator 90, Bio Syl, Buzz, Drill, Cogent, Headland Diamond, Headland Fortune, Intracrop Felix, Intracrop Warrior, Kantor, Kinetic, Respond, Roller, Spartan, Spryte Aqua, Tonto, Torpedo II, Viking

Tank mixing

• Broadway Star + adjuvant is physically compatible with the following:
  • Decis Protech, Fury 10EW, Hallmark Zeon, Karate 2.5 WG, Markate 50, Mavrik, Toppel 100EC ^‡
  • Headland Boron, Headland Brock, Headland Mn 500, Headland Super 80
  • Broadway Star + adjuvant is physically compatible with Churchill, Firebird, Picona, Stomp Aqua

^‡ Dow AgroSciences will support physical compatibility tank mixes of Broadway Star + adjuvant + other insecticide brands with the same a.i. and formulation as those listed above.

• Ideally use 130 – 150 litres water
• Fine-medium spray quality

Additional benefits include control of many autumn germination broad-leaved weeds including charlock, chickweed, pansy, speedwell, geranium spp., groundsel, mayweeds, volunteer rape, volunteer beans and many more.

Learn more about Broadway Star 

Many bean crops this year were short, difficult to cut and resulted in loss at harvest. As a result volunteer beans will be a problem in following cereals this autumn. Fortunately Dow AgroSciences have a number of products which offer excellent control of volunteer beans.

Spitfire* provides a simple robust easy to use solution for volunteer bean control as well as controlling many other broad-leaved weeds:.

Spitfire volunteer bean control:

• Use 0.5 L/ha + adjuvant** – up to 4 etl
• Use 0.75 L/ha – up to 4 etl
• Use 0.75 L/ha + adjuvant** – up to 6 etl

** Supported adjuvants: MSO type adjuvant or Bio Syl, Cogent, Kantor, Kinetic, Tonto

Other key benefits include recommendations in winter oats as well as winter wheat, winter barley and undersown cereals, no plough or special cultivations required for following crops, no LERAP restrictions and as it does not contain DFF it will not increase the loading over the programme. Rainfastness in 1 hour is an added advantage.

ALS joint application allows for Spitfire use up to 0.75 L/ha with Atlantis WG until 1st February.

If used this autumn, ALS joint application rules does allow for follow-up with a further application of Spitfire (to a maximum total dose of 1L/ha) or another brand of Dow AgroSciences’ florasulam/fluroxypyr up to a maximum usage of 7.5g/ha of florasulam in total.

Alternative solutions for volunteer beans do include Broadway Star and GF-2070 which all have activity - a valuable addition to their excellent grassweed control.

Learn more about Spitfire 

It is an exciting time for oilseed rape. Increasing resistance to stem canker, low levels of sclerotinia and lodging last spring and better varieties have resulted in increased yields. Higher prices have also boosted oilseed rape's contribution to overall farm gross margin. Acreages are up. Responsible use of herbicides is more vital than ever, particularly for future prospects of this valuable crop.

To maintain the long term availability of Kerb* Flo to the oilseed rape crop we must minimise the presence of its active ingredient propyzamide in surface water. Whilst the levels found in recent years do not constitute a threat to the aquatic ecosystem they do pose a serious challenge to water companies who are legally obliged to supply water to us all with a concentration of any one pesticide of no more than 0.1μg/L. What is less well known is that another standard exists which says that the total pesticide concentration should not exceed 0.5μg/L.

If we consider which active ingredients are most commonly detected, metaldyhyde, propyzamide and carbetamide, we can see that a common source for these compounds is the oilseed rape crop.  Therefore we should not overburden a particular field with unnecessary active ingredient. Reductions in the amount of metaldyhyde have already been promoted by the metaldyhyde stewardship group and should be adhered to. Propyzamide and carbetamide are usually applied for the control of blackgrass; Dow AgroSciences does not support a tank mix or sequence of these compounds. Trials carried out by Dow AgroSciences clearly show that a well timed application of Kerb Flo gives superior control of blackgrass compared to any part ratio of Kerb Flo + carbetamide (e.g. half rate of each 75% propyzamide 25% carbetamide etc.). Clearly the application of a full rate of each compound increases the likelihood of pesticide in surface waters, which may in turn prompt regulatory review and potentially threaten the availability of both compounds in the future. Dow AgroSciences' trials have consistently shown that a tank mix of a dim or fop graminicide with full rate Kerb Flo at the correct timing consistently achieves excellent control.

Warm weather, early drilling and rapid germination has produced a thick carpet of blackgrass in some fields.  This means there is a temptation to apply an early dose of carbetamide to “hold” the blackgrass until the correct timing for Kerb Flo which usually happens in November. However, potentially there is likely to be rapid degradation of carbetamide under current soil conditions. A better approach would be to apply a robust dose rate of a contact graminicide this will not only control volunteer cereals but, even where resistance exists, will also check the growth of blackgrass.

Remember, to get the best from Kerb Flo application timing is more critical than weed size.
 
Follow the KERB FLO 10 Point Plan to maximise efficacy in winter oilseed rape

Can I still use Dow Shield on oilseed rape in the autumn?

Yes. Dow Shield^† (MAPP Number 10988) may still be sold by distribution up until 31st October 2011 and is still approved for use by farmers until 31st October 2012.

Autumn uses of Galera* remain approved but will not be approved once re-registered which is not expected before 2013 and may change. There is likely to be a use-up period for farmers of current Galera (MAPP Number 11961) beyond this anticipated date.

How do I use Kerb Flo on Winter Field Beans?

Kerb* Flo is an excellent choice for farmers wishing to help deal with problem grassweeds across the rotation: in winter beans recommendation is for use pre-emergence within 7 days of drilling the crop at a rate of 2.1L/ha. Use only on medium or heavy soils with less than 10% organic matter for winter beans.

The following are tank mixes are physically compatible with Kerb Flo:

• Centium 360 CS
• Cinder (SOLA) (Sprayable under continuous agitation)
• Defy (SOLA)
• Stomp Aqua (SOLA) (Sprayable under continuous agitation)**
• Rosate 36

** Maximum rate: 1 L/ha  Kerb Flo + 2 L/ha Stomp 400 SC (equates to 1.75 L/ha Stomp Aqua)or 2.1 L/ha Kerb Flo + 1.5 L/ha Stomp 400 SC (equates to 1.3 L/ha Stomp Aqua).

Can I still sell Grazon 90?

Yes. For Grazon* 90 (MAPP Number 3117)  and other grassland products Thistlex* (MAPP Number 11533), Doxstar* (MAPP Number 11063) & Pastor* (MAPP Number 11168), as well as Timbrel* (MAPP Number 5815) existing approvals  have been extended to 2021 - although this date will change once CRD are back on schedule with their review of associated Annex III packages.

Subscribing to Dow AgroSciences' Agronomy Update & Pestwatch gives eligibility for 1 Crop Protection BASIS Points annually. Please include course name "Agronomy Update & Pestwatch" and number "CP/19948/1112/g" on your training record. These details apply until 31st May 2012.

If you require any further information please contact our technical Hotline on 0800 689 8899 or your local Dow AgroSciences representative.

Use plant protection products safely.  Always read the label and product information before use.
For further information including warning phrases please refer to the product label.

Always check individual product labels for any possible restrictions before making a tank mix recommendation. Please note where only Physical Compatibility or Sprayable with Continuous Agitation is shown, Dow AgroSciences has no biological data regarding efficacy or crop safety and only supports the compatibility, so growers use  these mixes at their own risk.

* Broadway, Doxstar, Galera, Grazon, Kerb, Pastor, Spitfire, Timbrel and Thistlex are trademarks of Dow AgroSciences LLC.
^† Dow Shield is a trademark of The Dow Chemical Company

All other brand names are trademarks of other manufacturers for which proprietary rights may exist.

Broadway Star contains florasulam and pyroxsulam
Doxstar contains triclopyr and fluroxypyr
Dow Shield contains clopyralid
Galera contains clopyralid and picloram
GF-2070 contains flupyrsulfuron-methyl-sodium and pyroxsulam
Grazon 90 contains clopyralid and triclopyr
Kerb Flo contains propyzamide
Pastor contains clopyralid, fluroxypyr and triclopyr
Spitfire contains florasulam and fluroxypyr
Timbrel contains triclopyr
Thistlex contains clopyralid and triclopyr

More info at www.dowagro.com/uk