Latest News

Agronomy Update March 2025

04 Mar, 2025 | Agronomy | Technical | Return|

March Agronomy Update by Bill Cabout, Ruralco’s Ashburton Store Manager

Fodder Crops:

Monitoring for pests and disease and applying water and fertiliser at the appropriate times is key to getting maximum yield from your forage crops.

Most sprays on fodder beet are done. If diseases like rust or powdery mildew appear, fungicides such as Escolta (42-day withholding) or Custodia (28-day withholding) can be applied.

Fodder brassicas may need insecticides for white butterfly, diamondback moth caterpillars and leaf miner. An aphicide should also be used to control aphids. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approaches are recommended to target pests while preserving beneficial insects.

Autumn Sown Crops:

For post-harvest crops, use diazinon or chlorpyrifos granules to control grass grub. Slug control is crucial, especially in irrigated fields with a lot of trash.

Pre-emergence sprays are necessary to control weeds. For wheat, use Firebird or Invado for hairgrass, and consider Asset for a broader range of weeds. Avadex Extra can help control wild oats pre-sowing. Sakura is a new herbicide for controlling various grasses and weeds. For wheat, pairing cultivars with appropriate sowing dates and managing plant populations are critical for achieving high yields.

For barley, Firebird or Invado can be used similarly.

For ryegrass Ethofumesate is used pre-emergence to control annual grasses and weeds.

Grass Grub Control in Pasture:

Grass grub is a significant pest in Canterbury pastures. Applying Diazinon liquid to short pasture in March and April, followed by sufficient rainfall (At least 12mm) to wash it in, is effective for controlling this pest. Ensuring timely application and adequate rainfall is crucial for the best results.

With all the above scenarios talk to your Ruralco representative for the best options for you and your situation.

 

Related

Maximising grass grub control in new pasture

Maximising grass grub control in new pasture

Protecting spring sown pasture from grass grub assumes new importance this season, following researc...

Read More
A spur of the moment decision yields top result for Ealing farmer

A spur of the moment decision yields top result for Ealing farmer

Ealing farmer Shayne Jones of Farmleigh Limited has taken out the best fodder beet crop in this year...

Read More
Reducing the weed seed burden at harvest

Reducing the weed seed burden at harvest

A technique which significantly reduces the spread of weed seeds during harvest is being demonstrate...

Read More
Prison piggery fosters rehabilitation and sustainable farming

Prison piggery fosters rehabilitation and sustainable farming

Christchurch Men’s Prison Piggery is not just a producer of premium free-farmed New Zealand pork, i...

Read More
Agri-Chemical update spring 2021

Agri-Chemical update spring 2021

Looking at the next 3 months regarding agrichemical sprays used on certain crops. The crops we will ...

Read More
Winter reads: The Team That Hit The Rocks

Winter reads: The Team That Hit The Rocks

The story of the Wahine disaster has been told many times but this time from one of the survivors—a...

Read More




Account Selector