Strong debut performance for Broadway Star

UK - June 11, 2009

First season users of BROADWAY* STAR, the new cereal herbicide from Dow AgroSciences have applauded its efficacy against both major grass weeds and a wide range of broad-leaved weeds.

Broadway Star, the first UK product based on the herbicide pyroxsulam, was used for the first time this spring on many thousands of acres across the UK to good effect.

“The feedback from users and their agronomists has been really positive,” says Dow AgroSciences Stuart Jackson, speaking at Cereals 2009. “In terms of grassweed control, Broadway Star lived up to its claims on ryegrass, wild oats and bromes.

However, what surprised many users was the breadth of its control of broad-leaved weeds and the speed of kill.”

Broadway Star, which contains pyroxsulam with florasulam, is recommended to be used as part of a programme. However, the poor autumn weather led to impaired performance from residual treatments. This meant that in spring 2009 the new herbicide faced a strong challenge in some fields.

“Last autumn’s conditions meant a particularly challenging season to launch Broadway Star. In the circumstances the spring treatment delivered very effective weed control in our trials and, more importantly in commercial use,” said Mr Jackson.

This autumn Broadway Star will be available for farmers looking to fight the key grass weeds, especially sterile brome. The product offers control levels equal to current market leading varieties, with the wide range of broad-leaved weeds as an added bonus. 

“Our trials experience over recent years shows that while weeds can be effectively controlled across a wide range of timings; when it comes to protecting against yield early treatment is the key,” says Mr Jackson.

“Broadway Star is a contact acting ALS inhibitor herbicide, so our recommendation is to use the product in a programme with a residual in autumn to extend the period of control.”