Pestwatch

Overview

Registration

Ensure Pesticides Are Only Used When Necessary

Pests, unlike weeds and diseases, are far less predictable season by season, region by region. Through regular monitoring across the country at key times of year, Dow AgroSciences’ Pestwatch is designed to ring the alarm bells when pests threaten crops. The Pestwatch service covers Wheat Bulb fly and Orange Wheat Blossom midge.

Pestwatch reports are produced to reflect weekly data and provide advice on timely application of Dursban WG. The advice provided also indicates when switching to dead-heart sprays would be most appropriate. Pestwatch delivers timely information to ensure pesticides are only used when absolutely necessary.

Subscribing to to Dow AgroSciences' Agronomy Update & Pestwatch gives eligibility for 1 Crop Protection BASIS Point annually.

To find out more about this service, please contact our Technical Hotline on 0800 689 8899, your local Dow AgroSciences representative or E-mail.


			WHEAT BULB FLY Soil samples are taken during the autumn from sites considered to be at risk, to establish the number of Wheat Bulb fly eggs present. From this survey, fields are selected which have high or very high egg numbers present. Weekly soil sampling is then carried out on these selected fields during January, February and March to monitor egg hatch and then plant invasion. Monitoring sites normally cover a range of soil types from East Anglia and Yorkshire.		Latest Report: 8th February 2013

			WHEAT BLOSSOM MIDGE Soil sampling to establish baseline populations of Wheat Blossom midge is done in April. Representative samples are taken from the key wheat growing areas of England and analysed for the total number of Wheat Blossom midge present. The data also reports the life cycle stage of the midge detected. During baseline sampling most midges are still in the overwintering cocoon stage. Further soil samples are taken during May and June. The purpose of these samples is to monitor progression through life cycle stages. Suitable weather conditions together with a higher proportion of midge present as pupae in the soil indicate an emergence of adults is imminent. As the situation, and hence potential risk, can change very quickly Pestwatch reports are issued as they are needed throughout May and June.		Latest Report: 19th June 2012

			SADDLE GALL MIDGE In 2011 Dow AgroSciences received numerous reports of agronomists finding huge numbers of bright reddy-orange larvae and cocoons in the soils in the spring especially in Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire and Suffolk. As the season progressed more reports of bright orange larvae on wheat tillers were received from a wider geographical area including Scotland. As wheats matured some agronomists also noticed white heads and brackling. The cause was a pest, Saddle Gall Midge – Haplodiplosis marginata, which at present is proving difficult to control and in some areas has severely affected yield. As part of our support to farmers and agronomists in improved understanding, Dow AgroSciences together with the HGCA have commissioned ADAS to monitor the development of Saddle Gall Midge in wheat during Spring 2012. Wheat, barley, rye and, to a lesser extent, oats, can all be affected by Saddle Gall Midge. Most reports of damage in 2011 were in wheat crops.		Latest Report: 18th May 2012

FEATURED REPORT: GET GRAIN STORES READY FOR HARVEST

1st June 2012

Big investments are made to maximise yields in the field so don’t risk yield losses post-harvest with poor grain store hygiene. Mite and insect infestation in UK stored grain causes annual losses of 5-10% and populations can build rapidly so it is important to take preventative action. Mite and insect feeding results in direct yield losses but can also have a detrimental effect on the quality of stored grain. Grain store pests can affect the nutritional value and act as a source of allergens which can lead to serious gastric problems in feeding animals. Whether intended for milling, malting or feed, infested grain runs the risk of being rejected.

Good ventilation, drying and cooling are important processes in grain store management but pests, in particular mites, can still breed at low temperatures of 5°c. Respiring insects and mites will generate heat and moisture and can cause localised hot spots within the grain pile which further promote breeding and may encourage the development of moulds.

Reldan^® 22 is a broad spectrum acaricide and insecticide that will control all major pests of stored grain including Acarus, Lepidoglyphus and Tyrophagus, the three main mite species found in UK grain stores. Reldan 22 is the only pre-harvest grain store treatment effective on these common pests. Once treatments are dry it is safe to tip grain but fabric applications of Reldan 22 should be applied 4 weeks prior to grain filling to allow sufficient time for pests harboured in cracks and crevices to emerge and come into contact with the chemical. Reldan works by fumigation, contact and ingestion and offers protection for up to 6 months against mite and insect infestation. There is no withholding period for grain subsequently stored on those premises.

Pre-Harvest Action Plan:

Grain store fabric treatment using Reldan 22 should be used as part of an integrated management approach:

1. Ensure grain store is emptied of any old grain and debris

o Apply the same principles to grain handling equipment

2. Sweep (or use a high pressure airline) grain store paying close attention to crevices

o Ensure sweepings are disposed of well away from grain store sites or ideally, burn them

o Wear appropriate PPE including a dust mask

3. Apply Reldan 22 at 200ml in 5 Litres of water per 100 m2 up to 4 weeks before harvest via a knapsack, motorised knapsack or tractor-operated spray lance.

o For best practice ensure good ventilation during application and wear a face mask fitted with an activated charcoal filter.

FAQs

Can I apply Reldan 22 to stores intended for oilseeds?
Reldan 22 can only be used for grain store premises intended for wheat, barley, oats, rye and triticale storage. Similarly, admixture applications can only be made to these qualifying cereals.

Can I apply Reldan 22 directly to the grain for long-term storage?
Reldan 22 is approved for use as a grain admixture. Treatments should be made via a suitable applicator to grain that has been dried (or is below 14% mc), cooled and cleaned. After treatment, grain should not be processed for 90 days so direct grain treatment is most suitable for grain intended for long-term storage.

Can I use Reldan 22 on grain intended for malting and brewing?
Yes, Reldan 22 is accepted by the BBPA and the BRI for use on grain intended for malting or brewing

If you require any further information please contact our technical Hotline – 0800 689 8899, email UKHotline@dow.com, or contact 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 and symbols refer to label.

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Reldan 22 contains chlorpyrifos-methyl.

Crop Protection in Cereals