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.
Additional reductions to costs for forest owners in the Emissions Trading Scheme Registry (ETS) have been announced by the Government.
Animal welfare is of paramount importance to New Zealand's dairy industry, with consumers increasingly interested in how food is produced, not just the quality of the final product.
Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay is encouraging farmers and growers to stay up to date with weather warnings and seek support should they need it.
The closure of SH2 Waioweka Gorge could result in significant delays and additional costs for freight customers around the Upper North Island, says Transporting New Zealand.
OPINION: The year has started positively for New Zealand dairy farmers and things are likely to get better.
Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) Director General Ray Smith believes there is potential for an increase in dairy farming in New Zealand.

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