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USE PLANT PROTECTION PRODUCTS SAFELY. ALWAYS READ THE LABEL AND PRODUCT INFORMATION BEFORE USE. USE BIOCIDES SAFELY. ALWAYS READ THE LABEL AND PRODUCT INFORMATION BEFORE USE.
For further information with regard to the warning phrases and symbols for these products please refer to the product labels.
Certis Europe BV, 1, Riverside, Granta Park, Great Abington, Cambridgeshire, CB21 6AD.
Tel: 0845 3730305Email: [email protected]
www.certiseurope.co.uk
©Copyright 2014 Certis. Potatosafe News is produced on behalf of Certis by
Pinstone Communications Ltd. www.pinstone.co.uk
POTATOSAFENEWSAUTUMN 2014
Under the EU Water Framework Directive, water companies have to meet the legal standard of no more than 0.1 parts per billion for individual pesticides in drinking water. Since its detection in raw water supplies in 2007, metaldehyde has proved to be a significant problem because it cannot be removed by standard practices in water treatment works.
With the demise of methiocarb, it’s a situation all the more important for potato crops.
Managing catchments upstream of drinking water abstraction points may prove to be the way forward to improve water quality and solve the problems currently posed by metaldehyde, believes Dr Katherine Cherry, Catchment Management Planner for Severn Trent Water.
Launched in October last year, trials were introduced and results in the first year have been very encouraging, according to Dr Cherry. “We have seen significant improvements in water quality.”
Describing one of the projects, Farmers as Producers of Clean Water, “This approach encourages growers to work together in the catchment and make their own management decisions, rather than follow an approach prescribed by Severn Trent Water. The scheme allows farmers to choose the mitigation options to reduce metaldehyde that are best suited to their farm business.”
Mitigation options such as producing fine, consolidated seedbeds, implementing shallow cultivation, use of trapping to assess slug thresholds, applying soil management practices, making field risk assessments and using alternative controls such as ferric phosphate are all examples of alternative ways to better manage metaldehyde application.
Grower participation has been enthusiastic with 90% of the farmers within one of the catchment areas signed up to the scheme. “There was a 90% reduction in metaldehyde peaks compared to a neighbouring catchment,” explains Dr Cherry.
In another Severn Trent Catchment trial, an alternative approach has been employed. Farmers are encouraged to use the active ingredient ferric phosphate (Sluxx or Derrex) for their slug control, to produce a ‘metaldehyde free’ catchment.
“Facilitating participation through one- to-one visits and evening workshops, a number of farmers in the catchment have been involved in the trial and the support of agronomists has been key to its success,” says Dr Cherry.
“100% of the samples at the water treatment works were lower than drinking water standards,” says Dr Cherry, noting that metaldehyde exceedances were seen at other water treatment works not involved in the trial.
Independent agronomist Graham Partington, looks after many of the crops in the Staunton Harold ‘metaldehyde free’ catchment.
“Severn Trent Water has taken a very sensible and proactive view. They want to help and work together with farmers to solve the issue we share with metaldehyde,” comments Graham.
With no previous experience of using Sluxx, switching to a relatively new active was a step into the unknown, but according to Graham, slug control has been ‘exceptional’.
Certis have also been instrumental in the successful uptake of the trial, providing additional support and information regarding their ferric phosphate slug pellets, Sluxx and Derrex.
James Kennedy of Certis explains, “Ferric phosphate works in a different way to metaldehyde. After slugs have eaten a pellet, they stop feeding immediately but have time to retreat underground before they die.
“Rather than seeing dead slugs on the soil surface and slime trails, which are the hallmarks of metaldehyde treatment, the most visual symptom after a ferric phosphate application is no further crop damage,” he notes. “It’s a key difference that’s important to understand. Monitoring crop performance is key to judging efficacy.”
Catchment management trials improving water quality As the pressure on metaldehyde persists, Severn Trent Water have been reviewing the success of their innovative water catchment management approach to balance the necessity for slug control in the area, with their water quality obligations.
Certis’ unique potato
portfolio
In this issue
• Product news
• Storage news
• Changes in slug control
The multi-platform calculation app will be available on Apple and Android devices, PC’s and laptops. The new app will collate, calculate, report and export slug pellet application rates and tailor information according to the percentage of active ingredient and treatment rate for each crop.
Importantly, the calculations will allow visibility of the amount of metaldehyde active ingredient used within the calendar year, highlighting the total field dose and also the alternative option that is available.
“The app is designed to be a quick and easy way for farmers to enter and track slug pellet use and can act as a handy management tool for keeping on top of slug pellet treatments,” says Certis’ Inez Cornell.
The slug pellet calculator is a remote monitoring system which
allows farmers to keep check on metaldehyde dose rates applied to the land. Farmers can input application rates and the app will calculate how much more metaldehyde may be applied within the advised limit. The role of the alternative pellet options, Sluxx and Derrex will also be highlighted.
Launch of the Slug Pellet Calculator Available to download from this October, the new Slug Pellet Calculator will transform slug pellet management on farm.
Mocap 10g is currently in the grower use up period, which lasts until 10 June 2015, and is now not available to purchase.
Next season there is a new formulation available as Mocap 15g is now registered. Mocap 15g has a new label that growers must adhere to when treating.
Important changes to the label are: the new maximum application rate of 40kg/ha, and a new harvest interval of 80 days. The new rate is equivalent to the 60kg/ha rate that 10g has on the label for wireworm reduction, while the harvest interval has increased from 56 daysto 80 days.
Mocap 10g and 15g should each be applied according to their respective labels, as there are substantial differences and growers must take care not to inadvertently exceed the new maximum dose rate for 15g as well as to apply it only using the correct rotors.
For more information growers are advised either to contact their distributor, adviser or the Certis technical hotline number.
Growers are also warned of the increasing focus on stewardship measures. The changes follow advice from the Soil Pest Management Initiative (nematicides stewardship) which aims to ensure that applications of nematicides are made responsibly in light of residue concerns. The changes focus on three key areas.
Application equipment
• Full mechanical application is required and the aim should be to have applicators set up so that there is a minimum distance between the applicator outlet and soil surface.
• Avoid granules being deflected by linkage arms or any other part of the equipment. • Seal lids of hoppers, leaving only
the closed transfer system inlet as an entry point and dispose of any tape as ethoprophos pesticide waste.
• Monitor product application rate and adjust as necessary. Check applicator rotors regularly to ensure product is flowing freely.
• Use closed transfer system as intended.
Personal protection
• Be aware of wind direction when filling applicator hoppers.
• Follow the requirements for Protective Personal Equipment (PPE), which are stated on the label for application and cleaning down equipment.
• Ensure tractor cab air filters are working properly and check them regularly.
Cleaning and disposal
• Return closed transfer system to your supplier without cleaning it out.
Mocap label change to 15g Growers are advised to read the label carefully prior to applications of Mocap (ethoprophos) due to label changes.
This monthon Twitter
Potato Council @PotatoCouncil Essential viewing for all workers and managers involved in potato harvesting and grading http://bit.ly/1mMCbo9
ArableFarming @ArableFarming Quality key for 2014 potato crop #harvest14 @NFUtweets @PotatoCouncil http://bit.ly/1qmybv7
Red Tractor @RedTractorFood If you laid all the potatoes made in Britain in a year end to end they would reach the moon and back three times! #RTFact #TrustTheTractor
Hutchinsons @Hutchinsons_Ag Slug control strategies without methiocarb? Read more on our August / September newsletter - http://www.hlhltd.co.uk/latest_news.html …
For further information please contact the Certis technical hotline on 0845 3730305 .
Tweet tweet!If you’re on Twitter follow @CertisUK
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BASIS: reading this issue qualifies readers to earn two BASIS Crop Protection points CP/35687/1415/h
Season reports have shown early crops to be yielding well, and generally high in quality, with similar predictions for maincrops.
“Main crops are expected to have early dormancy and the focus needs to be on getting CIPC applied as early as possible; ideally within three weeks of store loading or as soon as they come out of the ground, with Gro-Stop Ready,” says Alan Horgan from Certis.
This advice corresponds with new CIPC label changes approved by CRD as part of the ongoing stewardship initiative ‘Be CIPC Compliant’.
Alan explains this is because the stewardship group recommends initial applications should always be made early, to improve efficacy and help reduce the risk of future exceedances of the Maximum Residue Level. Gro-Stop Ready application rates are already in line with CIPC stewardship guidelines, limiting the maximum individual dose to 18g per tonne.
“The good thing with Gro-Stop Ready
is that it lends itself to early dormancy break because it can be applied at store loading. This is in contrast to fogging, which typically entails some delay, post harvest,” says Alan.
The value of early treatment was endorsed in a recent trial carried out at Sutton Bridge, conducted by Certis in partnership with McCains. It revealed that treatment within three hours of harvest with Gro-Stop Ready effectively suppressed sprouting in store for up to five months, when compared with a control sample.
In the trial, Gro-Stop Ready was applied to 12 potato varieties, at store loading, on a conveyer. It was put on at a rate of 150ml per tonne (18g CIPC per tonne) and storage during the trial reflected typical conditions.
Unlike fogging CIPC, Gro-Stop Ready is a unique, targeted treatment method; applied as a liquid to potatoes as they are loaded into store, resulting in an even coverage. By treating early, a lower rate can be applied, and still achieve the same level of sprout control as traditional fogged applications.
Alan notes that some growers are understandably reluctant to apply a sprout suppressant immediately after harvest, due to the fact that some varieties are more susceptible to skin burn than others. “But the trial results showed minimal evidence of skin burn in newer varieties and a maximum
level of under one millimetre in highly susceptible cultivars.
“For the processing industry this is good news, because a low level of skin burn can be peeled away. UK Chippers are already using it on Maris Piper; it’s also being used on newer varieties with great success in Ireland.”
Ivan Curran, a potato grower from Co Meath, Southern Ireland, supplying the crisp industry, applies Gro-Stop Ready to Sassy potatoes with great success. “I treated the crop with Gro-Stop Ready last year as they went into store in September,” he says. “The results have been fantastic. The potatoes had three further CIPC fogging treatments, at low rates of application and they came out in June this year, with no buds.
“I have great confidence in the product and will continue to use it. The nature of the liquid leads to even distribution, it’s accurate on application and there’s hardly any evidence of skin burn. The crop reached the processing factory with no problems at all,” says Ivan.
Evidence has confirmed early treatment of Gro-Stop Ready can play a key role in achieving suppression. Alan also suggests further considerations for storage success. “Growers should be diligent with varietal choice. Treatment needs to be applied to a dry, clean crop with dirt removed and damaged potatoes should be discarded to ensure best possible storage results.”
Application of Gro-Stop Ready at loading enhances performanceTreatment with Gro-Stop Ready (CIPC) at store loading has again proven to enhance sprout suppression in store, according to a recent trial. This comes as welcome news to growers in a season where early application of CIPC is advised, to meet the stewardship guidelines.
Registered in the United States in January 2013, ‘SmartBlock’, substance name 3-decen-2-one, has now been applied to a total of approximately 800,000 tonnes of American grown potatoes.
The treatment has been effectively employed either as a CIPC replacement or as a mixture with CIPC in order to produce a long shelf-life on potatoes. It has proved useful to rectify a failed CIPC application.
Certis are pleased to report that 3-decen-2-one is planned to come to the European market within the next year.
USA update on sprout suppression innovationBox store potatoes for the fresh market have to adhere to strict CIPC residue limits in America, where ‘SmartBlock’ has proved to be a valuable addition to the sprout suppressant armoury.
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Morley Benson - Certis
“With the loss of methiocarb to the market, metaldehyde can be used instead, but it is important to note the restriction of 700g of active per hectare per calendar year.
“In the last couple of years growers have substituted some treatments with Sluxx (ferric phosphate) and we have had good reports that have backed up our trial results. The pellets are a similar size to methiocarb, so it is compatible with the same equipment and can be applied just as easily, albeit at different rates.
“What you get with Sluxx is a zero harvest interval, so at the back end of the season when you want to apply it close to lifting, Sluxx has a natural fit.
“Don’t take our word for it, try incorporating ferric phosphate into your programme.”
Graham McEwan - A M McEwan Farms“We have used Sluxx (ferric phosphate) for over six years, following a recommendation from our agronomist. We first turned to ferric phosphate due to a desire for a more effective environmental option.
“We know Sluxx is reliable and working hard when we see the sudden drop
in slug activity and the cessation of feeding following application, but unlike methiocarb and metaldehyde you don’t see dead slugs on the surface or excessive slime trails.
“I would recommend growers try it and see for themselves.”
Darryl Shailes - Hutchinsons
“The loss of methiocarb and the restrictions on the total permittable amount of active of metaldehyde, as well as the related stewardship issues means that ferric phosphate will play an increasingly important role in slug control in potatoes going forward.
“The best way to manage slugs in potatoes is by matching variety to the field. Some varieties such as Melody hardly ever seem to get attacked, whereas others such as Maris Piper have a huge problem and severe damage is a possibility.
“Our experience of ferric phosphate in other crops has been excellent and where we’ve used Sluxx in potatoes we’ve had no issues.
“We’re looking at slug control with Sluxx in some fully replicated trials this season, so hopefully we will have some good data for next year.”
USE PLANT PROTECTION PRODUCTS SAFELY. ALWAYS READ THE LABEL AND PRODUCT INFORMATION BEFORE USE. USE BIOCIDES SAFELY. ALWAYS READ THE LABEL AND PRODUCT INFORMATION BEFORE USE.
For further information with regard to the warning phrases and symbols for these products please refer to the product labels.
Certis Europe BV, 1, Riverside, Granta Park, Great Abington, Cambridgeshire, CB21 6AD.
Tel: 0845 3730305Email: [email protected]
www.certiseurope.co.uk
©Copyright 2014 Certis. Potatosafe News is produced on behalf of Certis by
Pinstone Communications Ltd. www.pinstone.co.uk
Brogue is a registered trademark of Mitsui AgriScience International SA/NV Brogue contains diquat I Fungazil is a registered trademark of Certis Europe BV. Fungazil contains imazalilGroStop is a registered trademark of Certis Europe BV. GroStop contains chlorpropham I Insyst is a registered trademark of Nippon Soda Co. Ltd. Insyst contains acetamiprid
Jet 5 is a registered trademark of Certis Europe BV. Jet 5 contains peroxyacetic acid I Panarex is a registered trademark of Chemtura Corporation. Panarex contains quizalofop-P-tefurylMetam is a registered trademark of Taminco. Metam contains metam-sodium I Mocap is a registered trademark of AMVAC Chemical Corporation. Mocap contains ethoprophosQuickdown is a registered trademark of Nichino Europe Ltd. Quickdown contains pyraflufen-ethyl I Rhino is a registered trademark of Certis Europe BV. Rhino contains flutolanil
Sluxx and Derrex are registered trademarks of W. Neudorff GmbH KG. Sluxx and Derrex contain ferric phosphate I Trigger is a registered trademark of Certis Europe BV. Trigger contains metaldehydeValbon is a registered trademark of Kumiai Chemical Co. Ltd. Valbon contains benthiavalicarb-isopropyl + mancozeb
Sales of methiocarb ceased on 19th September 2014. This has had substantial implications for growers who need to think about alternative methods of control. We have asked Morley Benson, key account manager at Certis, Graham McEwan, potato farmer and Darryl Shailes root crop technical manager at Hutchinsons, for their views on the topic.
Changes in slug control – what it means to you
Certis’ unique potato
portfolio
QuickdownDesiccant
QuickdownHerbicide
QuickdownDesiccant
QuickdownHerbicide
Brogue
Jet 5
