Parasitic worm pesticide approved for use
A new pesticide to combat parasitic worms in carrots, kumara, parsnips, and potatoes has been approved for use in New Zealand.
A major global challenge for the agricultural industry is pesticide resistance. A resulting loss of pesticide options can be costly and environmentally harmful.
Resistance occurs when a change in the genetics of a pest population allows individuals to survive. It develops in all agricultural pest groups, starting when a tiny number of pests survive a pesticide and become resistant.
For most New Zealand growers this is not yet a big problem. Though there are pockets of resistant species in some sectors, a wide range of products are effective against pests. Such a range is crucial for managing resistance. But to keep a variety of products available, the makers must navigate a number of hurdles.
One big hurdle is the high cost of developing new products and re-registering older pesticides. In NZ the process is compounded by the low level of data protection for new application registrations, thus putting pressure on the companies’ profits.
To overcome this Agcarm is advocating a legislative amendment to achieve greater data protection, so encouraging companies to spend more on new product registrations and new technologies.
Another problem is the difficulty and cost to assess the level of resistance in weeds. For example, extensive trial and error is needed to identify the cause of resistance in weeds resistant to more than one product. This can be expensive and time-consuming for the crop producer.
Weeds are adaptable to many environments. For example, when lawns are repeatedly mowed close to the ground, weeds can overcome the lawn. No surprise that weeds can adapt to certain herbicides. Weeds are also highly reproductive, with seeds that can survive for long periods and disperse over long distances.
Managing resistance requires an understanding of the factors that influence its development, and slowing or preventing the resistance from happening. Resistance should not be automatically assumed. A number of factors need to be ruled out: was the pesticide misapplied? Was the weather unfavourable? Was the application poorly timed? Was crop management poor?
When using fungicides, insecticides or herbicides, follow the label instructions, especially on rate of application. An experienced advisor can help develop a spray strategy, but if the manufacturer’s instructions are not followed, resistance is more likely.
A good resistance strategy includes rotating pesticides, crop rotation, good hygiene and combining pesticide applications. Follow these five steps to manage pest resistance:
1. Apply pesticides according to the label – every time
2. Expect some level of resistance
3. Have a strategy to address resistance
4. Identify the root cause by trial and error
5. Get the right advice; talk to your supplier or distributor.
Evolution and nature cannot be stopped, so keeping on top of resistance by using an integrated pest management strategy will mean one less problem for farmers.
• Mark Ross is the chief executive of Agcarm.
Recent rain has offered respite for some from the ongoing drought.
New Zealand's TBfree programme has made great progress in reducing the impact of the disease on livestock herds, but there’s still a long way to go, according to Beef+Lamb NZ.
With much of the North Island experiencing drought this summer and climate change projected to bring drier and hotter conditions, securing New Zealand’s freshwater resilience is vital, according to state-owned GNS Science.
OPINION: Otago farmer and NZ First MP Mark Patterson is humble about the role that he’s played in mandating government agencies to use wool wherever possible in new and refurbished buildings.
For Wonky Box co-founder Angus Simms, the decision to open the service to those in rural areas is a personal one.
The golden age of orcharding in West Auckland was recently celebrated at the launch of a book which tells the story of its rise, then retreat in the face of industry change and urban expansion.
OPINION: Should Greenpeace be stripped of their charitable status? Farmers say yes.
OPINION: After years of financial turmoil, Canterbury milk processor Synlait is now back in business.