Early window for weed control will appeal to cereal growers

A mild winter, forward crops and good conditions for sprayers to travel have conspired to o er many arable farmers an early opportunity to get ahead with weed control.

Corteva Agriscience says crop protection products targeted at eliminating key problem weeds could be applied earlier than usual where active growth can be identi ed.

But the crop protection company is advising growers to ensure programmes cover the full spectrum of weeds.

Met O ce data shows temperatures in September, October and November – the key months for winter cereal drilling and emergence

– were above the long-term average.

Some parts of the UK saw some unseasonably warm weather; the highest recorded temperature in November was 21ºC in North Wales.

However, December and January saw cold snaps, frosts and localised ooding, which has checked some crops.

“The net result is that most winter cereals went in the ground in favourable conditions and emerged well,” says Alister McRobbie, cereal herbicides category manager for

Corteva.

“Farmers who avoided the worst of the recent heavy rain and ooding will be pretty happy with how their elds are looking.”

Alister reckons autumn residuals had the environment to do a good job, but that a spring clean-up of weeds will still be necessary.

He said: “Those who have used cinmethylin-based products for the rst time last autumn will have been predominantly aiming to control black-grass and ryegrass.

“But it is important to look out for the other key weeds which may already be present, or will emerge in the coming days and weeks. Cinmethylin will not control every weed that grows in amongst the crop.”

Broadway Star is a mainstay of spring weed control programmes, and will be among the rst products applied if an early opportunity to get sprayers working appears in February.

It gives excellent control of brome species, ryegrass, wild oats and a range of broad-leaved weeds in winter wheat and also has approval for use in spring wheat.

“Early applications for sterile brome control will bene t from tank mixing with pendimethalin to provide some residual control where there is potential for further germination,” Alister added.

Broadway Star also controls a range of di cult broad-leaved weeds, including cleavers, charlock and cranesbill, so there is usually no need for a broad-leaved weed followup spray.

The product label speci es a maximum rate of 265g/ha and a single application per crop. It can be used on crops between growth stages 11–32 inclusive. FG

We supply a wide range of sprayers suited to horticulture, amenity and agriculture along with a wide range of PPE for all spraying needs

Our range of rainwater harvesting and storage tanks are ideal for lling sprayers as e cacy is improved when using rainwater for chemical applications

Self-propelled sprayer is the “final piece of the product range puzzle”

Precision farming and drift reduction are two important issues when it comes to sustainable and environmentallyfriendly agricultural solutions.

Claiming to be one of the leaders in tackling this challenge with innovative crop sprayers and cutting-edge technologies, Agrifac has introduced what it calls the nal piece of the Condor product range puzzle; the Condor Vanguard – ready for the future and compliant with all European regulations.

With a tank capacity of 6000 litres and a driving speed of up to 50kph, it gives the market exactly what it needs, Agrifac reckons.

More high-quality yield is achieved more e ciently, due to the fast lling, fast cleaning technology and fast folding booms. Like all self-propelled sprayers available from Agrifac, the Condor Vanguard is equipped with the most innovative and high-quality options, which Agrifac says makes it the ‘vanguard’ of precision farming and drift reduction.

A stable boom and higher capacity are the basis for optimum coverage, minimal drift, variable spraying technology and spot spraying at plant level. The Condor Vanguard can be used exibly thanks to a 75cm adjustable track width and is available in two variants of track widths: 180–300cm.

With a maximum vehicle width of 255cm and its signi cant tank capacity, the Vanguard completes the Condor range. Contact the company for more details. FG

Camera tech added to Isobus application products

J&S Industries Ltd has added SmartStriker camera technology to its range of Isobus application products.

SmartStriker works in conjunction with Hawkeye PWM in three di erent modes:

• Green-on-brown intercrop weeding

• Green-on-green for targeted weeds in crops including constant droplet size over an extended speed range while maintaining the application rate; individual control of up to 192 nozzles, giving excellent headland management; and the ability to quickly change section widths to suit di erent requirements such as bed work.

• Modulation for real time application of fungicides and fertiliser.

Thanks to its embedded arti cial intelligence system, SmartStriker takes control of the sprayer’s PWM to apply the correct dose in the right place.

During the operation, SmartStriker maps the application for traceability. This also gives better monitoring of infestation over the years.

As with all variable application systems, you cannot pre-calculate the quantity required for the job. This, says J&S Industries, is the perfect opportunity to use the Raven Injection Pumps to add the correct quantity of pesticide into the spray lines while only having water in the main tank.

The Raven Rate Control Module (pictured) o ers many embedded Isobus options, such as:

• Spraying with 16 sections standard

• Lime spreading

• Air seeders

• Planters

• Hoes.

For more information, contact J&S Industries Ltd directly. FG lines

Raven Hawkeye Nozzles o er various bene ts when spraying,

Seaweed extracts: Snake oil or sea magic?

Seaweed extracts have risen in popularity, driven by environmental pressures, the soaring cost of fertilisers, improved knowledge of their functions in plants and soil health, and their natural ability to support metabolism in plants through the provision of amino acids, hormones, sugars, nutrients, and phytohormones.

Croptek Bio Ltd supplies a range of high-quality seaweed extracts which are a complex broth of bioactive compounds that act as elicitors of the plant defence response. Timely applications of seaweed extracts are an e ective tool in increasing the amounts of exudates produced by the plant which in turn boosts the soil condition, as well as improving the control of disease management – resulting in cost savings in crop protection products.

Early application of 1-litre of SeaPhyte at GS0 will stimulate the rooting system, increase the plant immune system, and create a healthier plant ready for the rst nitrogen dressing, early fungicide and nal herbicides in cereals, Croptek Bio says.

Seaweed extracts should be included, not simply as ‘ re ghters’ when plants are under stress, but as part of a programme when, in combination with other products, they will enhance the e ectiveness of the other components, alleviating stresses that occur as a result.

Croptek Bio Ltd o ers a range of products made by specialists to work in all types of crops. SeaPhyte at 1-litre/ha should be the rst application to winter cereals as spring emerges, and to a spring crop once it has su cient leaf cover to absorb the product. This is followed by further applications of SeaFol at 1-litre/ha, maintaining the plant and soil health, and improving crop tolerance to abiotic and biotic stress. FG

New self-propelled sprayer is simple, light and highly customisable

The new 7-Series GRIM 3000 self-propelled sprayer from Italian rm Grim, distributed in the UK by Merse Agriculture, has proved popular with farmers since its UK debut at Cereals 2022.

Merse is UK dealer for Bargam sprayers but began importing the Grim sprayer after the popular 3,000-litre model was discontinued.

The Grim machine has already been getting positive feedback from customers, Merse says. It’s powered by an Iveco FPT 4-cyl 170hp Stage 5 engine. Transmission is a Danfoss hydrostat and drive motor and it has mechanical drive with Dana Spicer axles and two-speed reduction box.

Other bene ts include:

• Eco drive and cruise control for reduced fuel consumption

• Self-loading air suspension over hydraulic dampers, making for an incredibly smooth ride

• Class 4 pressurised cabin with heater box and fridge, with the main armrest containing the joystick for the drive and all the machine controls within easy reach of the operator.

The 7-Series comes with a 2,500-litre tank and 3,000-litre option, with the latter being very light considering the spec, at 6,700kg. Regarding the spray pack, Merse can t a range of steel or aluminium booms to suit the customer’s needs. The technology available on the machine is also completely customised to individual requirements.

The machine is available up to 5,000 litres and there is the option of hydrostatic drive with wheel motors instead of mechanical drive. FG