Herbicide Resistance
Has herbicide resistance led to a breed of super weeds? That was one of the questions being asked at the recent NZW Grape Days.
A HERBICIDE made by Zelam, now into its third year of use, kills weeds in beet crops.
Beetrix contains three active ingredients for broad spectrum weed kills. The maker says the three actives (ethofumesate, metamitron and phenmedipham) have complementary modes of action to give an overlapping spectrum of activity.
“Until recently farmers have had to tank mix different herbicides to kill a range of weeds. Beetrix provides single product convenience and flexibility.”
The herbicide will kill or suppress redroot amaranthus, prostrate amaranthus, black nightshade, cleavers, fathen, field pansy, hairy nightshade, hedge mustard, little flowered mallow, scrambling speedwell, stinging nettle, stinking mayweed, shepherds purse, spurrey, storksbill, twin cress, vervain, wild portulaca, willow weed and wireweed.
Timing of application is critical to get the best out of Beetrix, Zeelam says. “Use it at any time from sowing as weeds germinate. Repeat as further weeds germinate and to kill larger weeds through to crop closure.”
The company says it can be safely sprayed at any crop stage even when split germinations occur.
However, soil moisture before and after application is important for root uptake and to ensure weeds are growing at this time.
Canterbury farmer Michelle Pye has been elected to Fonterra’s board for a three-year term.
Farmers are welcoming the announcement of two new bills to replace the under-fire Resource Management Act.
The Government has announced it will immediately roll over all resource consents for two years, with legislation expected to pass under urgency as early as this week.
The New Zealand National Fieldays Society has achieved a major sustainability milestone - reducing its greenhouse gas emissions and reaching the target five years early.
Fonterra's 2025/26 financial year is off to a strong start, with a first quarter group profit after tax of $278 million- up $15m on the previous year.
Government plans to get rid of regional councillors shows a lack of understanding of the fundamental problem affecting all of local government - poor governance.

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