Starane resists all challenges

UK - March 02, 2010



This year sees Dow AgroSciences celebrate 25 years of marketing the Starane brand which revolutionised cleavers control and continues to be the leading option for UK farmers in their fight against the biggest threat to cereal yields.  

Until 1985, cleavers posed the most aggressive challenge to cereal yields. The weed is three times more competitive than blackgrass and was poorly controlled by the hormone weedkillers available at that time. 

“The arrival of fluroxypyr, marketed as Starane 2, changed all that,” says Dow AgroSciences marketing specialist James Knight. “Farmers suddenly found there was a dependable answer to the cleavers’ headache.”  

Over the years, the company has constantly monitored performance and unlike many other products launched at the time, has not succumbed to herbicide resistance.  

Over the years, Dow AgroSciences has continued to develop its range of cleavers control products. As a result both the spray window and weed spectrum have been extended to provide farmers with even better options for broadleaved weed control.  

“Our package for tackling cleavers begins with Boxer, based on florasulam, which is effective early in the spring when cleavers are growing slowly,” explains Dow AgroSciences technical specialist Stuart Jackson. “This is ideal for early removal of weed competition to give maximum protection against yield.  

“The leading brand now is Starane XL, which combines fluroxypyr with florasulam, to control actively growing cleavers in spring and winter cereals right up to GS45. In addition, Starane XL offers a much broader weed spectrum including deadnettles, knotgrass, mayweeds, groundsel and shepherd’s purse.” 

And the company continues to look for ways to improve its cleavers control portfolio.  

“We are currently looking for further innovation in such areas as improved formulations to deliver enhanced benefits for operators and the environment,” says Mr Knight.