Last chance to use up stocks of key beet herbicide

Key metamitron-containing beet herbicide product Goltix Flowable is approaching its use up date and growers should be aware of label changes for its re-registered replacement.

Manufactured by Adama, Goltix Flowable has been an important pre- and post-emergence residual herbicide for controlling a range of broad-leaved and annual meadowgrass in sugar beet, fodder beet, red beet and mangels.

It has been replaced by Goltix 70 SC, which has lower maximum individual and total application rates than its predecessor, so growers need to be careful not to exceed these limits.

See also: Beet growers shrug off sugar tax concerns

Due to the lower rates and slightly different weed spectrum in registration trials, there has also been subtle changes to on-label weed control claims, with black bindweed a notable species that the product will find hard to kill at lower doses.

Any existing stocks of Goltix Flowable must be used by 31 July this year, so this season’s beet crops offer a last chance to legally use the product and clear existing stocks.

All key information is contained in the table below.

Product (s)

Goltix Flowable

Use

Herbicide

Active ingredient(s)

Metamitron

Old MAPP number

12851 (Goltix Flowable)

New MAPP number

16638 (Goltix 70 SC)

Label changes

  • Maximum application rate per treatment drops from 5litres/ha to 2litres/ha.
  • Maximum total application rate drops from 15litres/ha to 5litres/ha.
  • Latest time of application now specified “Before crop leaves meet in the row”.
  • Changes to hazard labelling, safety precautions and directions of use.
  • Changes to manufacturer on-label weed control claims to reflect lower rate of use and different weed spectrum in registration trials.

Use up date

  • Sold through distributors until 31 July 2015
  • Use or dispose of by 31 July 2016

Sentinel says

“Although users have tried to reduce metamitron use as price increased significantly over recent years, it may still be possible that the new lower maximum total dose could be exceeded, particularly on organic soils.

“The loss of post-emergence approval for chloridazon means that lenacil use is likely to increase.

With ethofumesate gaining approval for use in wheat, growers will need to take extra care to avoid breaching rotational limits for this active, which is also used in most beet crops.”


Pesticide watch

Crops is working with Gatekeeper agronomists to highlight key pesticide rule changes and the potential implications, keeping you on the right side of the law and aid with on-farm record keeping.

Sentinel is a decision support tool linked to Gatekeeper crop management software, a programme that helps arable farmers with record-keeping and legislation issues. For more details visit www.farmplan.co.uk or call 01594 545011.

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