CEREAL GROWERS have a new herbicide option for controlling annual meadow grass and a range of broad-leaved weeds, Bayer CropScience has announced.

Firebird is a co-formulation of flufenacet (as in Liberator) and diflufenican and has been designed specifically as a non-Isoproturon-based product for use in non-blackgrass situations, the firm said.

Its launch is the first of several non-IPU products the firm intends to develop as possible alternatives should IPU’s status be changed, said product manager, Tim Holt.

“Firebird, a low-dose successor to IPU, is the first of several products aimed at the non-blackgrass sector, which will provide an alternative autumn weed control option for annual meadow grass and important broad-leaved weeds.”

It is effective against pansy, speedwells, chickweed, mayweeds and volunteer oilseed rape, the firm said.

Optimum application timing in winter wheat and winter barley is pre- to early-post emergence and it can be used up to the end of December when drilling or spraying has been delayed, added Mr Holt.