AUTUMN 2006 Nufarmer - Pest Genie · 2006. 5. 30. · 2 Nufarmer Autumn 2006 Nufarmer Autumn 2006 3 In the past 12 months Nufarm has consolidated its interests in plant breeding and

1Nufarmer Autumn 2006

NufarmerAN UPDATE FROM NUFARM ON RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT AND MARKETING OF CROP PROTECTION PRODUCTS IN AUSTRALIA

AUTUMN 2006

• Nufarm sows for the future

• Moree Regional Service Centre expands

• Seminars focus on spray application techniques

• Intervix®3 set to impress this winter

2 Nufarmer Autumn 2006 3Nufarmer Autumn 2006

Welcome Contents

For more than 50 years Nufarm has been supporting Australian agriculture by developing new products and uses and expanding our service network.

Nufarm is an Australian-owned company, committed to quality products designed for and tested in Australian conditions. No other supplier of crop production products can claim this fact.

In this issue we reinforce the messages outlined in the current advertising campaign. In this campaign, Nufarm reminds growers of the value we deliver, ensuring farmers get the best outcomes when they choose Nufarm products.

When you’re farming, timing is everything. When the spray window is open, farmers need to work quickly to maximise cropping yields. To help farmers get products delivered quickly, Nufarm has made significant investments in its service network. The latest expansion is at the Moree Regional Service Centre (see page 5). Crop protection products stored closer to the paddock ensure rapid delivery times.

Nufarm provides so much more than a drum of chemical. Nufarm is committed to efficacious spray application and holds regular demonstrations and workshops for our re-sellers, farmers and agronomists (see page 4/5).

Seeds are quickly being regarded as the engine room of agricultural production. Nufarm has an expanding seeds division that is bringing exciting new varieties to market for better yields and greater returns for farmers.

Nufarm develops new products for the market every year. In this issue are details of the new Intervix®3 herbicide and new uses for Penncozeb®5 420SC fungicide.

This season, more than ever, farmers should insist on Nufarm. Anything else is just UnAustralian.

Darren ThomasBrand ManagerNufarm Australia Limited

3 Nufarm sows for the future

4 Why farmers should insist on Nufarm

5 Upgrade for Moree Regional Service Centre

6-7 News from Croplands, your crop protection equipment specialists

8 Opus 125 gives the best stripe rust control in dryland wheat

9 Monza: your flexible choice for brome and barley grass control

10 Herbicide mixtures effective against resistant annual ryegrass

11 News in horticulture

Cover: Croplands’ 6000 L Pegasus Sprayer is purpose-built for easy and efficient broadacre spraying.

®/™ Registered/trademarks of Nufarm Australia Limited®1 Registered trademark of Nufarm Technology USA Pty Ltd. ®2 Registered trademarks of Monsanto Technologies LLC, used under license by Nufarm Australia Limited. ®3 Registered trademarks of BASF, used under licence by Nufarm Australia Limited®4 Registered trademark of Spraying Systems Co, USA. ®5 Registered trademark of Cerexagri SA. ®6 Registered trademark of Syngenta.


In the past 12 months Nufarm has consolidated its interests in plant breeding and development with the acquisition of Victorian canola breeder, Ag-Seed Research Pty Ltd.

Nufarm, under the banner of Nufarm Plant Science, now owns three plant breeding and development businesses - Nugrain Pty Ltd, Ag-Seed Research Pty Ltd and Access Genetics Pty Ltd.

The company and its partners are involved in breeding and developing new wheat, barley, canola, oats and field pea varieties. Nufarm now has a significant germplasm base and a highly skilled domestic and international plant breeding and field operations team, based in Horsham, Finley, Yarck and offshore.

“This is an exciting move for Nufarm in delivering the biology and chemistry to Australian farmers and in the medium-term progressing developments internationally,” said Barry Cox, General Manager of Nufarm Plant Science.

“Nufarm, through its subsidiary companies and licensing arrangements, is actively involved in the development and release of many of the new, elite canola varieties now available to Australian growers,” he said.

“These include ATR™ Banjo , ATR-Summitt , Bravo TT and Warrior CL .

“Nufarm plans to continue to release new canola varieties.”

2006 varieties Variety Description Marketed by

ATR Banjo A new early maturity, TT canola with very high oil yields and a blackleg rating of 7

Ag-Seed Research

ATR-Summitt New mid maturity TT canola Dovuro

Bravo TT New mid TT canola PlantTech

SW Odiel Wheat Early maturity, strong rust resistant wheat

Access Genetics

Tickit Triticale Tahara replacement with excellent rust and CCN resistance

Nugrain

Warrior CL New mid-late maturity IMI variety

PlantTech

Seeds of these varieties should be available through major distribution outlets, however, some stocks are limited.Enquiries can be directed to Barry Cox on mobile: 0409 374 383.

Nufarm Plant Science – sowing for the future

Through Access Genetics Pty Ltd, Nufarm has established relationships with SW Seeds and World Wide Wheat. Both companies have access to new and diverse germplasm pools not previously available to Australian growers.

After five years of breeding and development work with these partners, Access Genetics Pty Ltd will offer a range of new plant varieties to Australian growers in 2006/2007.

This will include a range of high yielding, high quality field peas and new wheat, barley and oat varieties. Many of these varieties are already in public trials and showing excellent results.

“Nufarm is always seeking ways to do things better,” said Mr Cox.

“The way new plant varieties have historically been delivered to farmers can and will change over time,” he said.

“Nufarm expects to be at the forefront of these changes.”

The products denoted by this symbol are registered under Plant Breeders Rights (PBR) in Australia. Unauthorised commercial propagation or any sale, conditioning, export, import or stocking of propagating material is an infringement under the Plant Breeders Rights Act (1994). Any breach of this legislation will leave the grower liable for prosecution.

Nufarm has a highly skilled domestic and international plant breeding and field operations team, based in Horsham, Finley and Yarck in Victoria and offshore. This aerial photograph shows the plant breeding operation on Dahlen Quarry Road near Horsham, Victoria.


More than 700 farmers and agronomic advisors have heard and seen ways to reduce off-target spray drift at 19 spray application workshops held by Nufarm in the past four months.

The workshops were conducted as part of the company’s Spraywise® program and were well received, according to the co-ordinator, Jorg Kitt.

Nufarm introduced the Spraywise program last year to significantly reduce the incidence and risk of spray drift damage to a diversity of crops without compromising spraying efficacy.

The workshops were designed to look at the drift problem from all angles – the role of chemicals used, inf luence of nozzle choice and set-up of machinery, impact of weather and governing legislation.

Spraywise seminars – managing spray driftFarmers who want to choose quality Australian crop protection products and services need look no further than Nufarm.

Nufarm supports Australian farmers through local manufacturing and infrastructure investment, timely product supply and local research and development into new products and uses.

That’s the theme of the current Nufarm advertising campaign launched in February.

According to National Marketing Manager, Peter Crock, Australian-owned Nufarm continues to invest heavily in its own backyard with:

• four major Australian manufacturing facilities – in Laverton, Kwinana, Welshpool and Brendale, employing more than 300 people,

• nine Regional Service Centres situated in prime farming areas across the country, and

• more than $10 million spent annually on research and development in the laboratory and in field trials on Australian farms.

“Nufarm is proudly Australian. For more than 50 years we’ve worked with Australian farmers to provide a wide range of top quality crop protection products,” said Mr Crock.

“Australians are regarded as resourceful, hardworking, loyal and trustworthy. Nufarm also holds these values which ref lect the service philosophies and successes of our founder, Max Fremder,” he said.

“Nufarm has done the hard yards in the paddock, running extensive field trials to develop new products and uses for tough Australian conditions in recognition that imported formulations are often designed for European conditions.

“No other crop protection company in Australia has the manufacturing capability of Nufarm to back up our research. We’re proud to keep manufacturing jobs and profits in Australia.

“We’re able to respond more rapidly than other companies to peak farming demand by building our Regional Service Centres in the best places to serve agriculture. Our expansion program continues.

Nufarm committed to local R&D and manufacturing

Nufarm has stressed its commitment to investing in local research and development in current press and television advertisements featuring the slogan: “Insist on Nufarm. Anything else is just UnAustralian.”

“Good advice is just as important as the product in getting the job done right the first time. Nufarm has a support network of 29 Territory Managers and five Horticulture Managers based in key crop protection zones in five states to support farmers’ decisions in the paddock. We’ve got the resources to get the job done and done well.”

Darren Thomas, Brand Manager, said research had shown a groundswell of consumer support for Australian-made products and services.

“Consumers are keen to support Australian products, particularly if they are high quality and available at the right price,” said Mr Thomas.

“We know Australian farmers want to support local industry because together we’re creating a better future for agriculture in this country. Choosing products from overseas companies would be just unAustralian.”


Nufarm is in a strong position to meet expected growth in demand for its range of pre-emergent crop protection products in 2006, following further investment in its Regional Service Centre network.

A new 1,000 square metre warehouse has been completed at the Moree Regional Service Centre, bringing the number of warehouses on site to three.

In addition, three new 30,000 litre on-site bulk tanks will offer refills of Roundup PowerMAX®2 and Roundup®2CT.

The upgrade anticipates increased demand for f lagship pre-emergent brands – Roundup PowerMAX, Avadex®1 Xtra and Trif lurX® – in the run-up to the winter broadacre cropping season.

Moree is the latest in a series of upgrades that has seen expanded

Moree Regional Service Centre upgraded

facilities at the Wagga Wagga and Dubbo Regional Service Centres.

A brand new facility also opened at Geraldton in WA last year. More Regional Service Centres are planned as Nufarm continues to invest in Australian agriculture by providing up-to-date facilities offering the full Nufarm product range at shorter delivery times.

Nufarm now has nine state-of-the-art Regional Service Centres in prime farming districts throughout Australia to serve its resellers, reinforcing its position as the only Australian-owned manufacturer with an extensive service network in rural Australia.

“The company’s goal is to supply our products to resellers in a turnaround time unmatched by any other crop protection supplier,” said Matt Sargent, Commercial Development Manager.

“No other agricultural chemicals supplier in Australia has as broad a network of Regional Service Centres as Nufarm. We are proud to be Australian-owned and to serve Australian agriculture as efficiently as possible,” said Mr Sargent.

Spraywise seminars – managing spray driftConsultant for weather services,

Graeme Tepper, presented informative insights into the complexity of local weather predictions.

“Mr Teppert explained microclimates at ground level and how inversion layers form and how they can affect spraying operations,” said Mr Kitt.

Richard Warner and Frank Taylor from the R&D team at Nufarm, differentiated phenoxy products according to their volatility and explained differences between vapour drift and physical droplet drift.

“A very popular part of the workshop was the hands-on demonstration provided by spray application consultant, Bill Gordon,” said Mr Kitt.

“He demonstrated visually how nozzles producing a coarser spray quality were less affected by drift.”

Senior Chemical Standards Officers presented at the workshops and discussed new legislation such as the extension to chemical control areas in Victoria and new legislation stipulating phenoxy products must be sprayed with nozzles that produce a COARSE to VERY COARSE spray quality.

“The Spraywise workshops were an excellent example of how Nufarm can pull industry resources together and apply its knowledge to provide viable information and a service of relevance to the farming community,” said Mr Kitt.

• Nozzles producing a FINE spray quality such as the TeeJet®4 XR11002 markedly increase drift potential compared to a COARSE spray quality.

• Most spray operations in the field allow a change to nozzles that provide a coarser spray quality without the risk of losing efficacy.

• Highly volatile phenoxy formulations such as Estercide® 800 should mainly be used in colder winter months and not in proximity to sensitive crops.

• Only non-volatile phenoxy products such as Surpass® 300 should be used in warmer spring and summer months or in close proximity to sensitive crops.

• New legislation requires all phenoxy herbicides to be applied with nozzles producing a COARSE to VERY COARSE spray quality.

Jorg Kitt

Bruce McGowan of Nufarm stores pallets inside the new warehouse in readiness for the 2006 winter cropping season.


CROPLANDS YOUR CROP PROTECTION EQUIPMENT SPECIALISTS

Bigger fields, longer rows and a need for increased productivity have driven Spra-Coupe customers to desire bigger, high-profile, self-propelled machines. As a result, Spra-Coupe has introduced the 7000 series Spra-Coupe with the largest engine and largest capacity spray tanks available.

“Croplands has responded to customer needs from the beginning, and those needs have changed significantly over the past years,” says Brendan Deck, General Manager, Croplands Equipment.

“They imagined a new kind of Spra-Coupe, and with the 7000 series, we have a sprayer to meet their needs. These new models offer more power, more traction, more comfort and more tank capacity. The spray system is more stable and more durable with the traditional reliability and accuracy that our customers expect.”

“The very efficient, electronically controlled engine reaches peak torque of 645 Nm at 1400 rpm, plenty of power to muscle the 7000 Series payloads across soft soils and steep slopes,” reports Malcolm Reck, Service Manager, Croplands Equipment.

Speed and traction match need on the 7000 Series with the new electronic power shift transmission and optional front-wheel assist. The transmission offers six forward and two reverse gears with four selections under 29.5 km/h and top speed of up to 44.3 km/h. Torque also matches need with the integral torque converter.

Like the engine, transmission and cab, the 7000 Series Spra-Coupe spray system is also bigger and better. Built for greater capacity, the new Spra-Coupe can be outfitted with either 2,750 L poly or 2,500 L stainless steel spray tanks. The centrifugal hydraulic-driven pump has a maximum output of 320 L/min with rates as low as 26 L/min to match product and field condition requirements.

In the best Spra-Coupe tradition, the 7000 Series is designed to match the crop and the field. The boom on the

Spra-Coupe responds to customers with bigger, better 7000 series

7650 with its 1.2 metre clearance can be dropped as low as 58.4 cm in the lowest setting and raised as high as 243.8 cm above the ground in the highest setting.

Tracking width easily adjusts to row or bed width. The electro-hydraulic controls adjust tracking in 5 cm increments. The 7000 series has a model that is suitable for the two metre row crop farmer and a model suitable for the three metre broadacre farmer.

The new 24 metre boom is engineered for increased stability and durability with full boom and tip breakaways and retractable fold over tips. The five section shutoffs and independent left/right boom folds allow the operator to quickly and easily adjust spray swaths at field edges and reduce overlaps.

“Increased power and increased capacity make the 7000 series perfectly suited to today’s bigger farms and bigger fields,” said Mr Deck.

“The improved spray system and features, like the optional eductor, make the 7000 Series an efficient and productive machine, just a few of the great qualities Spra-Coupe customers have come to expect from Croplands.”

The new Turbo TeeJet Induction (TTI) spray tip from Croplands Equipment is ideal for use when off-target drift is a concern and excellent overlap distribution is required. Using a unique pre-orifice design, the smaller droplets in the spectrum are eliminated and large, air-filled, drift-resistant droplets are produced.

“If a grower is spraying near sensitive areas such as residential areas, open water or near susceptible plants, the TTI is the best nozzle to help control drift without compromising spray pattern distribution,” said Brendan Deck, General Manager, Croplands Equipment.

“That’s because this tip produces very few small, drift-prone droplets.

“The TTI is ideal for use with pre-emergent herbicides, post-emergent

New air induction spray tip provides excellent drift resistance

Spra-Coupe has introduced the 7000 series Spra-Coupe with the largest engine and largest capacity spray tanks available.


YOUR CROP PROTECTION EQUIPMENT SPECIALISTS

Increased profit, even in uncertain times

Romolo Patroni and Southern Cross Service Manager, Bryan Close examine Romolo’s new Pegasus Trailed Sprayer.

Western Australian wheat grower, Romolo Patroni, recently upgraded his OutbackS lightbar guidance unit on his sprayer to incorporate a mapping unit.

The upgrade will assist Mr Patroni in achieving greater spraying accuracy, reducing overspray and saving money on chemical wastage.

“We need to ensure we’re not overlapping,” Mr Patroni said.

Romolo, who has a 10,000 hectare property 40 km south of Southern Cross, purchased an OutbackS guidance system for his sprayer last year from local dealer, Southern Cross Traders.

“I like to support local agencies and Southern Cross provides excellent service and back-up. John Griffiths from Croplands has also offered great support in the past with our old Croplands

Stallion spray unit. Anytime we had a problem, John could fix it.”

Mr Patroni added the Outback 360 Mapping Unit when he purchased a new sprayer.

“The light-bar system on the GPS unit was good, but I found that as I sprayed closer to the inside of the paddock, overlapping became more of a problem. I couldn’t believe the accuracy of the guidance system and by adding the mapping unit I can reduce overspray and achieve the cost savings I’m after.”

When he bought the mapping unit Romolo also traded in his Croplands Stallion sprayer for a new 5000 L Croplands Pegasus Trailed Sprayer with 30 metre boom.

“The Pegasus has a lot of improvements over the old Croplands Stallion. In particular the plumbing, ease of use and the strength of the boom. The floating boom with airbag suspension and the long drawbar offers a much smoother ride,” he said.

The Pegasus Trailed Sprayer range is purpose built for broadacre spraying

and is available in a 4000 L, 5000 L and 6000 L tank.

Fitted with 18.4 x 38” tyres on single wheels, the Pegasus provides excellent flotation and a huge rolling radius. A load-sensitive self-adjusting air-ride system is available as an option for rougher conditions.

A choice of 21, 24, 28, 30, 33 and 36 metre hydraulic folding booms with wing-lift option and individual fold option are offered.

“We had a better than average year last year, but with the price of wheat at the moment the margins aren’t always there and there’s a degree of uncertainty. The new sprayer and mapping unit will save us money and help make things easier,” he said.

Croplands Equipment is currently offering a 6.5% finance offer on Pegasus Trailed Sprayers through their Finance division, Croplands Credit. Conditions apply.

For further information about this offer, contact Croplands on 1800 999 162.

New air induction spray tip provides excellent drift resistance

systemic herbicides and systemic fungicides because of its unique performance,” he said.

Based on the patented design of the original Turbo TeeJet spray nozzle, the TTI offers many of the same benefits: a wide angle flat spray pattern, excellent spray pattern distribution and an economical polymer construction.

Other TTI features include easy pre-orifice removal for cleaning/inspection, a choice of six capacities ranging from 0.56 to 1.9 L/min at 2.75 bar, color-coding in compliance with the ISO standard for easy capacity identification and easy installation/alignment via Quick TeeJet caps.

The TeeJet product range includes spray nozzles, boom components, line strainers, electric shut-off valves and hand spray guns.


Successful stripe rust control with Following the 2005 harvest, Temora wheat grower Phil Reid has concluded one thing about stripe rust control – he doesn’t have time for repeated foliar fungicide applications.

“Come the end of winter, we’re into shearing – there’s all sorts of things happening,” he said. “I don’t have time to check every day for signs of stripe rust in each crop.”

Growing more than 1000 hectares of wheat in 2005 on his property, ‘Maylands’ south of Temora, NSW, Phil found the best results were achieved in stripe rust control when applying Opus 125 once at the recommended rate of 500 mL/ha as opposed to two applications of Bayleton.

“One hit of Opus 125 on H45 was far more beneficial than two hits of Bayleton,” he said.

“A paddock that was treated with Bayleton yielded three tonne to the hectare and the grain was shrivelled up rubbish, whereas just half a kilometre away a paddock that was treated with Opus 125 went five tonne to the hectare and there were minimal screenings.

“Any crop around here that was untreated just turned into shrivelled up little grains – it was bloody shocking.”

As with many farming decisions, Phil works on the principle that time is money and he would rather invest in doing a job properly first time round.

“You need to consider the length of coverage of a treatment and if it is going to get you through the risk period then it has to be of greater value. It will take the stress out of what is normally a busy time of year because you know it will be protected.”

In the 2004 season, Phil waited for stripe rust to appear before having to spray foliar fungicides by air. These experiences taught Phil to take a more pro-active approach in 2005 by spraying before the disease had taken hold. The strategy paid dividends and removed the stress and time constraints experienced in 2004.

“If I grow any susceptible wheats in 2006, like H45, the only fungicide I’ll use will be Opus 125 and I’ll try and apply it so it gives the maximum length of protection in that high pressure period.”

Temora district farmer Phil Reid examines H45 wheat successfully treated for stripe rust with Opus 125 last year.

Trial shows yield bonus in wheat

In a demonstration trial of fungicide effectiveness on stripe rust and other fungal diseases in dryland wheat at Warren, in western New South Wales, wheat treated with Opus® 125 out-performed Tilt®7 and Bayleton®6 by an increased 0.4 tonne/ha yield.

Nathan Soulsby of Landmark Warren, who conducted the trial on the farming property ‘The Overf low’, said the Drysdale wheat was sprayed at full f lag emergence with experimental rates of Opus 125 and Bayleton. These were compared to 250 mL/ha of Tilt.

“Seven days after application, the Opus 125 treated plot had reduced the number of active spores on the leaf surface significantly and after 14 days was the only one where the stripe rust was no longer active,” he said.

“The way Opus 125 works also kept the plot greener for longer and it was able to take advantage of an extra rain event.

“In conditions where two tonnes/ha is considered a good average yield, a bonus of 0.4 tonne/ha is worth pursuing. It well and truly paid for any extra expense in using Opus 125 over the cheaper alternatives.

“In the right season, many growers could benefit from a timely application of Opus 125 as a stripe rust preventative.”


Nufarm is set to launch an exciting new product for the winter cropping season. Intervix is a new generation herbicide

developed for CLEARFIELD®3 canola that was previously trialled under the code name ‘Euro Lightning’.

“The launch of Intervix has been eagerly awaited by growers who want to take advantage of the benefi ts of CLEARFIELD canola with increased f lexibility,” said Business Manager for CLEARFIELD crops, Damien Deckert.

“Intervix is a Group B herbicide so it can be used strategically in rotation to prolong the effectiveness of other herbicides.”

Mr Deckert said that Intervix offered growers of CLEARFIELD canola signifi cant benefi ts over standard weed control treatments.

Intervix set to impress

L ate seasonal starts in the drought conditions of the past few years have seen many grain growers unable to utilise a knockdown phase for weed control prior to sowing, increasing their reliance back on pre-emergent and post-emergent herbicides.

In addition, many farmers in the southern and western wheat belts have dropped pulse and canola crops from their rotations to grow cereals on cereals. This has ruled out the option of using triazine herbicides (Group C) in the break crops for weed control.

As a result, infestations of brome and barley grass are becoming a serious problem in wheat crops where farmers are not utilising the best available tools to control them early.

“Controlling brome and barley grass weed burdens is essential to avoid signifi cant yield losses in wheat and triticale,” said Damien Deckert, Business Manager.

“These weeds are noted for their aggressive competitiveness and prolifi c seed production. Taking steps to avoid them ‘getting away’ by treating them early before sowing or at the 1-4 leaf stage can mean the difference between sowing or not sowing a profi table crop.”

Mr Deckert said that fortunately in the past eight years growers have been able to choose the proven performance of the selective Group B herbicide, Monza®2.

“Monza offers growers the f lexibility of both pre-emergent and post-emergent application and is an effective and reliable herbicide for the selective suppression of brome and barley grass in wheat and triticale,” said Mr Deckert.

“It works by being absorbed by the foliage and roots and moved through the plant. As Monza is a Sulfonylurea, it blocks the production of essential amino acids required for production of proteins used in root and shoot growth.

“Monza gives farmers the ability to sow on time and to fi nish the season with cleaner grain samples, minimal grading losses and improved returns from signifi cantly increased yields.

“Intervix will offer safer plantback intervals compared to OnDuty®3 and Clearsol®3, providing growers with greater confi dence that crops following CLEARFIELD canola will reach their full yield potential,” he said.

“The extensive local research and development trial program at Nufarm has confi rmed that Intervix provides more powerful weed control compared to OnDuty, especially on key grass weeds.

“This means that growers can expect even higher levels of performance on yield robbing weeds, which means cleaner crops and higher fi nancial returns,” said Mr Deckert.

Intervix will be distributed via Nufarm AgriCentres®3 and will be available in limited quantities this year packed in 10 litre containers.

Monza: the fl exible choice for brome and barley grass

“Monza also has good activity on a number of other troublesome weeds including wild oats, wild radish, wild turnip, silver grass and mustard species.”

Treatments with Monza signifi cantly reduce populations of brome and barley grass in crop with remaining plants showing reduced panicle size and numbers, plant height, tiller numbers and seed production.

“Nufarm is committed to providing products of superior quality that add signifi cant value,” said Mr Deckert.

“The research and development team at Nufarm is continuing the necessary trial work to expand the number of compatible herbicides listed on the label and to provide in-fi eld advice so that weed effi cacy and yield responses are maximised,” he said.

Calculate the benefi ts with the Monza wheel

Now, growers and agronomists have an easy to use calculator to demonstrate the fi nancial advantages of using Monza.

The Monza wheel calculates the potential grain yield saved by controlling weeds early with Monza, using data provided by the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI).

Growers can obtain their calculator by contacting their local Nufarm reseller.

“If you’re planning to use Monza this season, grab a calculator to see the benefi ts in terms of crop yields and improved returns,” said Mr Deckert.

Agronomist Richard Stecher (left) uses the Monza wheel to calculate the benefi ts of weed control for farmer, James Castles.

9Nufarmer Autumn 2006


When it comes to resistant annual ryegrass, throw everything you’ve got at it, advises Bill Long, Private Consultant, Ag Consulting Co. on the Yorke Peninsula.

Bill Long is someone who knows.

Over the past 10 years, he and his staff have battled increasing annual ryegrass resistance on his customers’ farms on the Peninsula and in the mid and lower north of South Australia.

“We’re still growing profitable crops. But it’s a numbers game. We’re still winning on farms where we are best able to combine the available herbicide and cultural methods.”

Mr Long said farms were now very reliant on pre-emergent herbicides, particularly mixtures like Avadex Xtra and Trif lurX, to allow the crop to establish and get away without excessive ryegrass pressure.

Research has found mixtures that include active ingredients giving high levels of control of a weed species and including active ingredients from different mode of action groups, such as Group E (Avadex Xtra) and Group D (Trif lurX), are a useful tool in managing or preventing the establishment of resistant weeds.

And by using pre-emergent herbicides, non-selective herbicides and cultural practices can be given the chance to work later in the season to control weed escapes.

Mr Long said the big change in the past few years had been the recognition of the excellent performance of Avadex Xtra against annual ryegrass.

“People think of Avadex Xtra as a wild oat control herbicide, but we’re now recommending Avadex Xtra mixed with Trif lurX as a resistant ryegrass control measure. Wild oats control is really a secondary bonus.”

Mr Long said that Trif lurX provided some valuable control of annual ryegrass and excellent broad leaf weed control of pests such as wireweed. But the mixture

Herbicide mixture is vital in battle against resistant ARG

of Avadex Xtra and Trif lurX combined provided increased ryegrass control.

“The anecdotal results we’ve found in the paddock were confirmed in Ag Consulting Co. pot trials conducted by Peter Boutsalis, Plant Science Consulting at the Adelaide University in 2004 and by a number of field trials conducted by our group and other research organisations over the past few years.

“The control achieved by the mixture was compared with other chemicals such as metolachlor and several older compounds. The mixture performed very well against resistant annual ryegrass and is well worth using, particularly when numbers are high,” he said.

Mr Long said that the other big change was that Avadex Xtra could also be used in pulse crops, particularly lentils.

“Many people still think Avadex Xtra can only be used in cereals.

“Lentils are very uncompetitive against ryegrass. By using the mixture, we can get adequate ryegrass control to allow lentil crops to get away and not suffer from ryegrass competition. Then we can

use selective DIM-based grass products such as clethodim for ryegrass control later in the season.”

Mr Long said selective Group A herbicides were no longer working against annual ryegrass, particularly in cereals.

“We rarely mention Group A chemicals in cereals any more,” he said.

“However, we have a raft of cultural methods we recommend. Sequencing crops to allow a range of herbicides to be used, high seeding rates, careful selection of crop varieties that provide competition against ryegrass, spray topping, weed wiping, stubble burning and, where possible, using pastures and grazing, all contribute to lower ryegrass populations.

“If you can combine as many methods as you have available, you can win the game against ryegrass and grow crops profitably,” he said.

Farmers should consider an Avadex Xtra and Trif lurX mixture as a worthwhile part of the battle strategy.

Private agronomic consultant, Bill Long (right), chats with farmer, Doug Smith, at Petersville, South Australia, about controlling resistant annual ryegrass.

10 Nufarmer Autumn 2006 11Nufarmer Autumn 2006 11Nufarmer Autumn 2006

Nufarm is well placed to help farmers harvest the growing opportunities in horticulture with our comprehensive range of products, says Guy Perriman, Australian Horticulture Manager.

Here is the latest news about Nufarm horticultural products.

Downy mildew gets the high jump with Acrobat®3

The 2005 season caused many cucurbit, lettuce and onion growers across Australia to turn to Acrobat®3 to combat high levels of downy mildew infection. Acrobat contains 500 g/kg dimethomorph and is a Group X fungicide. Acrobat is ideal for inclusion in disease control programs in rotation with other chemical groups in order to eliminate or delay the onset of disease resistance.

Acrobat has a unique mode of action; disrupting the fungal cell wall formation which enables it to control strains of fungi that have become resistant to other chemical groups, e.g. the phenylamides. With no reported cases of resistance to dimethomorpth in Australia, Acrobat has a valuable position to play in disease control programs.

Acrobat has performed best when applied prior to weather conditions that resulted in high levels of disease pressure. It is this strong protectant activity of Acrobat that enables the production of quality vegetables under testing environmental conditions.

Acrobat has strong residual activity and is rainfast within 2 hours.

Acrobat is a valuable fungicide for potato growers risking late blight

Highlights from the horticulture range at Nufarm

(Phytophthora infestans ) infection. This devastating disease occurs under conditions of high humidity (>90%) and when temperatures are cool at night (around 12oC) and warm during the day (around 21oC). Acrobat is an ideal

protectant fungicide for use when the late blight infection risk is high.

Acrobat must be applied in a tank mixture with either Polyram®3 DF (containing 700 g/kg metiram) or Penncozeb 750DF (containing 750 g/kg mancozeb) and a non-ionic surfactant. This is part of an anti-resistance strategy for the compound.

Label expansion for Penncozeb 420SC in key crops

Penncozeb 420SC is a popular, liquid mancozeb sold by Nufarm. Widely used by Australian banana, potato and poppy growers. Penncozeb 420SC has recently had its label extended to include a number of other key crop registrations.

Penncozeb 420SC is now registered in almonds, cucurbits, tomatoes and for the control of phomopsis in grapes, both wine and table. In tomatoes, Penncozeb 420SC is the only mancozeb formulation with a powdery mildew suppression claim. Penncozeb 420SC also controls early blight (Alternaria solani ).

Penncozeb 420SC is a suspo-emulsion formulation (oil emulsion in water) containing 420 g/L mancozeb. With the fine particle size formed as a result of the formulation, the oil allows better coverage and adhesion to the plant surface, Penncozeb 420SC offers improved rainfastness and effective protectant activity.

Growers have been impressed with Penncozeb 420SC as the liquid alternative to traditional DF mancozeb formulations. The ease of handling, simplicity of measuring, lack of dust issues and the formulation quality all combine to provide growers with real benefits. Mancozeb remains a valuable fungicide for disease prevention and management.

Emergency use permits for Filan®3

Filan®3 has provided many vegetable growers with a new fungicide option following the granting of a series of emergency use permits by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA).

Permit 8819, effective from 10 October 2005 until 31 October 2007 will allow growers of brassicas, brassica leafy vegetables, lettuce, beans – green pods and immature beans (phaseolus spp) to apply Filan for the control of Sclerotinia disease. Permit 8819 is available from the APVMA website (www.apvma.gov.au) or the Nufarm Horticulture website (www.nufarmhorticulture.com.au).

Emergency use permits for Filan were issued following the withdrawal of the registration for procymidione in these crops. Nufarm and Horticulture Australia Limited are supporting an extensive research and development program with Filan to ensure registrations for these and other crops in the years ahead.

Filan is a Group G fungicide, containing 500 g/kg boscalid, a new and unique compound for vegetable growers. The initial Filan registration was for the control of Botrytis in grapes. Filan has excellent crop safety, is non-toxic to bees and is classified as a “reduced risk” compound by the EPA in America.

Guy Perriman

http://www.apvma.gov.auhttp://www.nufarmhorticulture.com.au

Nufarm Australia Limited HEAD OFFICE103-105 Pipe Rd, Laverton North, Vic 3026Ph: 03 9282 1000 Fax: 03 9282 1001Internet: www.nufarm.com.au

Nufarm contacts

This publication is a guide only and no substitute for professional or expert advice. The product label should be consulted before use of any of the products referred to in this publication. Nufarm Australia Limited shall not be liable for any results, loss or damage whatsoever, whether consequential or otherwise through the use or application of products and/or materials referred to herein.

© Copyright 2006 Nufarm Australia Limited A.C.N. 004 377 780

TERRITORY MANAGERSCustomer ServiceCoastal/Central Regions 1800 267 612Southern New South Wales 1800 033 038Victoria/Tasmania 1800 033 038South Australia/Sunraysia 1800 131 964Western Australia 1800 131 964

CoastalNSW North Coast/New England Matt Moyle 0400 811 796Wide Bay/Burnett/Callide/Dawson Jamie Cox 0427 100 065Far North Queensland Eddie Hayes 0409 200 993Central Queensland/Burdekin Mandy Jeppesen 0428 192 001South East Queensland Stewart Frankling 0419 558 219

CentralGoondiwindi Lachlan Carrigan 0428 715 955Gunnedah Phillippa Fleming 0428 710 298Moree Daniel Guest 0428 529 549Toowoomba Ed Redfern 0439 798 970

Southern NSWGriffith Mathew Taylor 0429 398 854Dubbo David Wood 0407 450 174Tablelands/Hunter Valley Sean Richardson 0438 985 785Greater Central West Rupert Backus 0428 285 865Wagga Wagga Stuart Blair 0418 504 114

Victoria/TasmaniaWestern District Philip Jobling 0409 807 160Gippsland Rafe Bell 0409 424 716Wimmera Gerard Bardell 0419 561 016North East Matthew Hincks 0429 708 808Mallee Ben Coombe 0427 806 635Tasmania Peter Wilkinson 0418 132 087

South Australia/SunraysiaMid North/Yorke Peninsula Tony Button 0418 637 310Riverland/Sunraysia Nick Hall 0429 434 217South East c/- Adelaide Office 1800 131 964Eyre Peninsula Ken Webber 0428 828 410Mallee/Adelaide Plains Russell Meade 0418 818 570

Western AustraliaAlbany David Cunningham 0428 340 825Geraldton Bill Campbell 0427 545 553Merredin Keith Perry 0429 413 200Northam Matt Beckett 0427 928 230

HORTICULTURE MANAGERSQLD Stewart Frankling 0419 558 219Sthn NSW Sean Richardson 0438 985 785Vic/Tas Paul Geister 0438 382 672SA/Sunraysia Adam Phelan 0417 498 428WA David Buckley 0427 100 026

RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT OFFICERSCoastal Andrew Horsfield 0427 012 815Central Frank Taylor 0438 092 972Sthn NSW Angus MacLennan 0408 358 024Vic/Tas Gereon Schnippenkoetter 0438 862 896Vic/Tas Mark Slatter 0438 064 845SA/Sunraysia John Both 0418 803 055WA Mike Jackson 0427 527 975WA Scott Paton 0427 692 319

REGIONAL OFFICESCoastal Unit 13/16 Metroplex Ave, Murarrie QLD 4172Regional Manager Mark Dawson 0428 106 090Bus. Support & Develop. Shane Rudd 0417 213 833

Central Unit 13/16 Metroplex Ave, Murarrie QLD 4172Regional Manager Paul Smith 0419 033 841Bus. Support & Develop. Amanda Marwood 0437 082 620

Southern NSW Lot 1 Lewington St, Wagga Wagga NSW 2650Regional Manager Owen Williams 0417 459 471 Bus. Support & Develop. Angela Armytage 0429 009 716

Victoria/Tasmania 103-105 Pipe Rd Laverton North Vic 3026Regional Manager Paul White 0419 306 983Bus. Support & Develop. Michael Reese 0408 510 064

South Australia/Sunraysia 190 Cormack Rd Wingfield SA 5013Regional Manager Warren Ramsey 0419 526 389 Bus. Support & Develop. Aaron Edmunds 0409 184 188

Western AustraliaLot 51, Mason Rd Kwinana WA 6167Regional Manager Chris Ryan 0418 692 319 Bus. Support & Develop. Steve Lacy 0407 542 448

CROPLANDS50 Cavan Rd,Dry Creek SA 5094 1800 999 162

Region Contact Phone BasedNthn Qld/NT Bruce Henningsen 0409 899 491 TownsvilleNthn NSW/Sthn Qld Jeremy Rennick 0407 485 569 ToowoombaCentral NSW Dave Farmer 0427 651 971 OrangeSthn NSW David Hamilton 0427 975 072 JuneeVictoria/Tasmania Toby Brown 0417 832 784 MelbourneSouth Australia Jason Sims 0418 819 350 AdelaideNthn WA Kevin Kentish 0428 940 822 PerthSthn WA John Griffiths 0407 132 746 Perth

Documents

AUTUMN 2006 Nufarmer - Pest Genie · 2006. 5. 30. · 2 Nufarmer Autumn 2006 Nufarmer Autumn 2006 3 In the past 12 months Nufarm has consolidated its interests in plant breeding and