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Crop Crack 28.02.09
By Wendy Fearon
EU Pesticide Legislation
The focus over the last couple of weeks has been on preparing ground for spring crops. Land intended for spring cereals should be sprayed off with glyphosate as soon as ground conditions allow. Roundup Energy is still the best value for money in the glyphosate market with all its additional benefits over generics.
Roundup Energy has faster uptake and greater consistency in a wider range of weather conditions. It is important to remember when comparing glyphosate prices the amount of active it contains, Roundup energy contains 450gm/l compared to 360gm/l in most other glyphosate.
The increase in temperature over the last couple of weeks will encourage pests such as wireworm, slugs and leatherjackets to resume feeding and should be closely monitored.
Surveys carried out recently show leatherjacket numbers are significantly higher than spring 2008.Pre ploughing treatments with Dursban or Cyren are more effective than those applied once any damage is under way in the spring-sown crop.
It is essential to soil test prior to planting any crop, whilst it may seem expensive it is money well spent.
After months of discussion the revision of the EU pesticide approvals legislation has almost been decided. There are some actives which will affect Northern Ireland growers especially those involved in the horticulture sector. This is devastating as the withdrawal in recent years of products such as Dosaflo, Trifluralin and Ramrod has already left a huge gap in weed control onto many veg crops.
Although the withdrawal of products such as Stomp (pendimethlin) and Linuron are still a few years away, the choices are going to be few. Many of the actives discussed within the review will be around for at least another five years and hopefully replacements will come into the marketplace before this happens.
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