Latest Ruralco News

Words by Bill Cabout, Ruralco Chemical Manager

We will look at the following this month: Fodder crops, crops, autumn sown crops, grass grub control in pasture and use of Gibberellic Acid.

Fodder Crops

Fodder Brassicas crops may need spraying with insecticides if the insect pressure gets too high. Damage is being seen by both white butterfly and diamond back moth caterpillars. For this we should be looking at applying an insecticide. We should also apply an aphicide at the same time to control any aphids present, rather than having to come back later. We can either use older chemicals that will kill every insect, or we can use the IPM (Integrated Pest Management) approach using newer chemistry that targets the pests and leaves the beneficial insects alive.

 Crops

For crops planted after harvest we need to look at drilling with Diazinon granules to help control grass grub. Plenty of diazinon granules are available this season.

If there is a lot of trash, we need to look at slug control especially if the crops have been irrigated.  We have a range of slug baits available instore. The key to slug control is baits per square metre.

 We need to make sure we control slugs and insect pests when we drill crops to ensure successful establishment of the new crop. If we don’t by the time, we realise we have a problem, it is too late, and we will have to re drill the crop. It is cheaper to control the pests than to have to buy new seed and re drill.

 Autumn sown crops

Depending on the crop we need to look at the use of pre-emergence sprays to control weeds going into the winter.  

Wheat

If hairgrass is a problem, we must use Genfarm Diflu-Flu, Firebird or Invado, the choice of which depends on the other weeds present, as both Genfarm Diflu-Flu and Firebird have diflufenican in them as well. These chemicals are often used with Terbuthylazine as well for control of a greater range of weeds.

If wild oats are a problem Avadex extra can be used pre-sowing to help control them. This is an alternative if you have problems with controlling wild oats later.  We also have Sakura, a herbicide from Bayer for controlling autumn germinating ryegrass, vulpia hairgrass, annual poa, soft brome and barley grass plus it also gives suppression of ripgut brome, prairie grass and wild oats. This can be used instead of Genfarm Diflu-Flu, Firebird and Invado.

This season we have a new pre-emergence herbicide for wheat and barley from Adama called Tower. It contains a new active for the New Zealand market Chlortoluron as well as Pendimetalin and Difluenican. The rate for use is 2.5Lt/ha. It controls a wide range of broadleaf weeds and selected grass weeds. It is suitable for use in both autumn sown and spring sown crops. Please contact your Ruralco Representative for further information.

Barley

Genfarm Diflu-Flu, Firebird or Invado can be used as above to control weeds pre-emergent.

Ryegrass

To control a range of annual grasses and other weeds Ethofumesate is used pre-emergence in both perennial and annual ryegrass.

Grass grub control in pasture

We are coming to the time of year to control grass grub in pasture using Diazinon liquid. This must be applied to short pasture and needs to be washed in by at least 12mm of rain before it dries on the foliage for best results. This season we have plenty of stock.

Gibberellic Acid

We can increase grass growth on pasture in autumn by using Gibberellic Acid during this period.  For this to be successful there must be sufficient fertility and moisture to support this extra growth. It is often applied with liquid nitrogen to help this. Both granular and liquid versions of Gibberellic Acid are available. It needs to be applied 3-5 days after grazing and grazed 3 to 4 weeks after treatment to capture maximum response.

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