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.
Academic Dr Mike Joy and his employer, Victoria University of Wellington have apologised for his comments suggesting that dairy industry CEOs should be hanged for contributing towards nitrate poisoning of waterways.
Environment Southland's catchment improvement funding is once again available for innovative landowners in need of a boost to get their project going.
The team meeting at the Culverden Hotel was relaxed and open, despite being in the middle of calving when stress levels are at peak levels, especially in bitterly cold and wet conditions like today.
A comment by outspoken academic Dr Mike Joy suggesting that dairy industry leaders should be hanged for nitrate contamination of drinking/groundwater has enraged farmers.
OPINION: The phasing out of copper network from communications is understandable.
Driven by a lifelong passion for animals, Amy Toughey's journey from juggling three jobs with full-time study to working on cutting-edge dairy research trials shows what happens when hard work meets opportunity - and she's only just getting started.