STOCKS OF Atrazine must be used up by Sept 1, which means maize growers should be considering how they will dispose of it this season, warns MGA agronomist Simon Draper.”

The sweetcorn and forestry industries can still use Atrazine, but after Sept 1 maize growers must dispose of it safely,” he says.

He believes most growers won”t have enough to cover their requirements this year, so suggests they apply as much as they can post-emergence to get more activity out of it.

“The maximum application rate is 3 litres/ha. When you only have enough for 2 litres/ha, use two one- litre applications with Bromoxynil.”

 Growers should also think about alternatives to try this year ready for the 2006 season. “We know Sampson controls grass well post-emergence, but it”s expensive. It”s a good idea, therefore, to try a small area this year to know how to use it cost-effectively next year.”

Alternative herbicide is best applied when weeds are growing to assess farm conditions. Other options include some form of weed tine harrowing.