CROP CRACK -  26.01.08
By WENDY FEARON
Clarendon Agricare -Kerb For Hedgerow Control

The extremely heavy rainfall over the last couple of weeks has brought all fieldwork and landscape work to a halt. Winter crops have been looking well up until now but the recent rainfall will have had an effect on levels of disease present and available nutrients.

All land intended to be cropped this season should be tested especially with rising costs of fertilizer. Cereal seed is also going to be up in price and whilst the temptation to use home saved seed may be there, a germination test should be carried out. The seed should be cleaned and a seed treatment applied.

When planning seed and fertilizer requirements, careful attention should be given as to whether or not Dursban will be mixed with the glyphosate on both new leys and grassy stubbles on land intended to be cropped in the spring.

The cooler conditions over the last few weeks have encouraged both mice and rats to seek shelter. Make buildings as impenetrable as possible by sealing off possible entry points, and set traps to gauge whether any vermin have managed to already gain access to buildings.

STORM bait should be placed close to runs and holes where rats are active. If the bait is covered with boards or lengths of pipe it gives the rat a feeling of security when feeding and also protects the bait from the weather and hidden from other animals, children or livestock. Ideally use a specially designed bait box.

Mice do not move far from their nests which are usually indoors. Place smaller quantities of bait within a few metres of nesting sites.

HEDGEROW CONTROL

Winter is the best time to control weeds around young hedges and trees. Season long control of grasses and most broad-leaved weeds is possible by applying Kerb Granules at this time.Kerb is a pre- and post-emergence residual herbicide that provides selective, broad spectrum weed control.

Kerb can be applied to all soil types, therefore allowing its use in many areas where weed control is needed.Kerb is the ideal herbicide for forestry and woodland (including farm forestry), ornamental shrubberies and rose beds, hedges, fence lines and gravel pathways.

Young trees can all too easily be lost to the choking effect of weeds. Conifers and Norway spruce grown for Christmas tree production can be treated with Kerb without any risk of phytotoxicity.It is safe to apply over the leaves of all popular tree species without risk of damage.

Kerb requires soil moisture for root uptake to take place. If warm, dry conditions prevail after application then weed control may be reduced. The best residual action is therefore achieved in moist, cold soils. Although KERB can be applied in all weather conditions, application on top of snow, or to severely frozen ground should be avoided if there is any risk of surface run-off.

Casoron G is another granular herbicide that effectively controls a wide range of broad leaved and grass weeds. The special properties of Casoron G makes it appropriate to all situations, for the gardener and landscaper who require a weed free garden, and for the engineer who needs effective weed control on roads and  pathways. Weeds on driveways, paths, along fences, in compounds and under asphalt are all well controlled, with a single application in early spring.

Casoron G also offers extremely effective weed control for orchard floors. In orchards a band treatment is a common application method. Fruit trees should be established for at least two years.

Casoron G must not be applied to shrubs or trees planted for less than one year.Casoron G offers excellent weed control for waterways. It is recommended for the control of emerged, submerged and floating weeds in streams, ponds, rivers and lakes.Casoron G may be applied much later than KERB.