Check origin of manure before muck spreading this spring

UK - January 29, 2009

Farmers who used an aminopyralid herbicide, such as Forefront*, to control docks and thistles last spring need to make sure that manure from animals fed on the resulting forage is only applied to pasture or land intended for growing grass, cereals or maize, warns Dow AgroSciences.

The advice follows inadvertent use of manure containing this active ingredient which led to some cases of alleged damage in UK crops during 2008, particularly in gardens and allotments.

“Since being launched in 2006, aminopyralid-based products have proved extremely effective in controlling difficult perennial weeds in grassland,” says Robin Bentley, Dow AgroSciences Product Manager for grassland products.

“The significant uptake of these products reflects how well they work, both in terms of weed control and increasing grass production. But a few problems have occurred where treated manure has been applied to ground subsequently planted with susceptible crops, such as potatoes and legumes.”

Aminopyralid poses no health risk to any animal that eats treated grass, but there is enough active ingredient found in the manure to cause a problem for plants that are sensitive to it. All aminopyralid-containing products do carry label warnings advising on the appropriate use of any resulting manure and slurry.

Last autumn, Dow AgroSciences sought a voluntary suspension of approval for the sale and use of its aminopyralid containing products, while it takes steps to minimise the risks of problems re-occurring. It is unlikely that they will be available for use by farmers this spring.

It is important that farmers who sold hay, haylage or silage from treated grass tell their buyers, including horse owners and equestrian units, about the restrictions for manure produced from animals eating the forage. If manure or slurry that could contain aminopyralid is sold or passed on to third parties, they must be made aware of the label restrictions.

“We are running an information campaign to raise awareness of the issue amongst all those that could be affected. This includes the launch of a new website www.manurematters.co.uk to provide information to farmers, smallholders, horse owners and gardeners,” said Mr Bentley.