With grain prices currently at almost record highs at the establishment of a good Cereal crop is vital to maximising yields and today’s cereal seed treatments do a lot more than the single purpose dressings of the past, writes Farming Focus columnist Mark Elcoate, of Farmway.
More and more growers are discovering the establishment benefits of insecticidal Protection via the seed treatment Redigo Deter and this is fast becoming the new standard.
Three forces are driving this change, virtually any winter cereal crop needs protection against slug damage or BYDV infection: growers also want to take every opportunity to ease autumn workload; and it’s clear that optimising establishment is key to maximising crop profitability.
Therefore drilling seed with the combined fungicidal and insecticidal protection of Redigo Deter (prothioconazole plus clothianidin) tackles all three of these challenges.
Slug pelleting guidelines issued in 2010 restrict the recommended total dose of metaldehyde applied between 1st August and 31st December to 2010g of active ingredient per ha which is effectively just one pellet application.
Previously it was common practice to apply pellets at drilling, in an attempt to lure slugs away from germinating seeds and follow with pellet applications from emergence depending on risk.
Redigo Deter provides a zone of insecticidal protection around germinating seeds that repels slugs therefore reducing significantly grain hollowing and seedling loss; as a result you shouldn’t have to jump on your quad bike straight after drilling and can save your metaldehyde application later.
Also following the loss of IPU, growers have had to re-think autumn herbicide strategies targeting annual meadow-grass.
Many have switched to pre emergence treatment which is too early to tank mix in a pyrethroid.
Redigo Deter controls BYDV-spreading aphids for up to 10 weeks from drilling so growers don’t need in the vast majority of cases to go back with a separate pyrethroid with all the costs and time that involves and can sleep easy knowing the crop was protected, all of which in addition makes Redigo Deter a superb time management tool.
The broad-spectrum insecticidal activity of Redigo Deter also reduces damage caused by wireworms and gout fly-which can be problematic with grass in the rotation and deals with other pests, that you may never see which nibble away at roots and sap vigour.
Add this to the full protection against seed-borne and seedling diseases, and you can see why we are recommending Redigo Deter as standard on winter cereals.