NEWSLETTER 33
We intend to make increasing use of our new website to provide information for our growers. When providing information on crop management, agrochemical changes, food safety and customer issues this season, we will continue to do this through our newsletters. However, there will be two changes to the newsletter format to make fuller use of internet possibilities.
1. Newsletters can now be sent by e-mail, which is faster and often more convenient.
2. Newsletters are generally short and topical rather than a source of reference material. We have a section on our website which contains information which we will build into a technical library. Our newsletters will link to this area to provide more comprehensive information. We will be working on this technical library this year to build up comprehensive information for our most important market places. This information can be downloaded as well as viewed on our site.
If you have an e-mail address but received this newsletter by post, then we may not have your e-mail address. If you’d like to receive newsletters by e-mail and to be able to link straight to more comprehensive information please send your email address to Karen Tonks, e-mail ktonks@higgins.co.uk
<b>Herbicides</b>
Before Friday 26 April we had had nearly four weeks of uninterrupted dry weather. Whilst this made for excellent planting conditions, it meant soils were too dry for residual herbicides to work well. Around an inch of rain has improved things, although soils have also cooled down – by as much as 4�C – which will slow crop development.
Action:
Timing – do not check crops by delaying herbicide applications. Where leading sprouts are an inch below the surface take advantage of moist soils by getting herbicides on.
Product Choice – remember product restrictions, especially Metribuzin (Sencorex, Lexone), which can’t be used post-emergence on many varieties – check the label.
<b>New Herbicides</b>
There are two new products launched this year with new actives. Bayer have Artist (Flufenacet and Metribuzin) now approved on ware and seed.
Information can be found at: <a href="http://www.agro.bayer.co.uk/products/product56.html" target="_blank">www.agro.bayer.co.uk</a>
FMC have launched a new active – Clomazone – this year marketed as Centium and Shark.
<b>With all new products check varietal tolerance from your supplier before using them.</b>
<b>Marks & Spencer – Product Restrictions</b>
Marks and Spencer have announced three categories of restriction on agrochemical use on potatoes or other crops for supply to them.
List 1 contains actives not to be used on potatoes. The most important actives are Tecnazene and Fentin Acetate.
List 2 contains actives not allowed on any crop for M&S. Most of these are not permitted anyway in the UK.
List 3 contains actives for which a “reduction of use is sought in the short term . . .”. This list contains Sulphuric Acid and Maneb.
<b>Action</b>
If you may or do supply potatoes to Marks and Spencer packers or for processing by Marks and Spencer food suppliers, then do not use Fentin Acetate in your blight programme. Tecnazene approval is already withdrawn.
The full lists can be found in the <a href="http://www.higgins.eu.com/docs/suppliers_technical/pp_area/tech_login.asp"> password protected, technical area. </a> For a password contact Karen Tonks on 01302 774701 or e-mail ktonks@higgins.co.uk.
<b>These Notes are guidelines only. The final decision rests with the user and Higgins Agriculture Limited will not be held responsible for any damage which may occur.
When using agrochemicals always read the product label and comply with its conditions of use.</b>