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Following the very difficult protracted and wet harvest, growers should make sure that they keep a close eye on their grain stores and treat with Silico-Sec before grain pests add to the problem and so spoil the harvest. This year with good yields but variable quality grain going into store, growers must make sure they protect their investment in store, as any further loss of quality will make a significant impact on returns, reminds Interfarm UK Ltd.

"This year growers need to be proactive in preventing insect pest and mite damage as storage pests can cause direct damage to grain and create conditions in which fungal growth can occur, all of which will add to the woes of this years harvest and will adversely affect returns," says Dr. David Stormonth, Technical Manager for Interfarm UK Ltd.

Silico-Sec is a proven biophysical treatment derived from diatomaceous earth consisting of highly micronised specific amorphous silica (silicon dioxide) explains David. "Highly absorbent silica in Silico-Sec abrades the outsides of insects and mites, removing the water-proofing waxes in their cuticles and resulting in desiccation and death of the pests. Because it is a biophysical product, Silico-Sec is effective against all target pests, including the grain weevil, the saw-toothed grain beetle, the red-rust flour beetle, the cosmopolitan food mite, the flour mite and the larvae of the cosmopolitan flour moth, with no issues of resistance, residues or restrictions associated with chemical-based treatments."

"As a treatment to stored grain, Silico-Sec is applied to the grain surface, either as a low cost preventative treatment at a rate of 200g/mē or as a localised curative application at the rate of 600g/mē, depending on the extent of the problem. It should be applied to the surface of stored grains after the heat and moisture content have been reduced within the HGCA guidelines and then worked into the top 30 cms with a rake," advises Dr. Stormonth.

"Most infestations are found in the surface layers of grain piles, as this is where the insect pests can move more easily and can access oxygen. Surface layer treatments can therefore be highly effective in both prevention and cure of pest infestations. Silico-Sec should however be used as part of an integrated strategy for grain store management, together with temperature and moisture."

David reminds growers that Silico-Sec is a natural, non-toxic alternative to OP treatments and can be used in conventional and organic farming systems. "As a biophysical product, it is considered to be inert and so is exempt from registration under the UK"e;s Control of Pesticides Regulations and it can not leave any chemical residues.

Silico-Sec contains up to 96% inert silicon dioxide as a diatomaceous earth powder between 13-15 microns. It can be used on stored feed wheat, barley and oilseed rape (but not milling wheat as yet) for the prevention of invertebrate pests such as mites, weevils and beetles when used as part of an integrated storage management strategy. It has both protectant and curative treatment. It is packed in 15-kg bags and is available exclusively from Interfarm distributors.

For further comment and information, please contact Dr. David Stormonth, Technical Manager, Interfarm UK Ltd. on 01354 741414 or 07818 036506 (mobile) or via e-mail david.stormonth@interfarm.co.uk

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