GF-2070, a unique blend of Dow AgroSciences’ pyroxsulam with flupyrsulfuron-methyl has been formulated specifically to meet the challenges of UK blackgrass control in winter wheat with the added benefits of controlling a wide range of grass and broad-leaved weed, plus rotational flexibility.
Approved in June, the product will be marketed under its code number for the 2011/12 season to give UK farmers an early opportunity to see the benefits for themselves.
When it comes to blackgrass control, GF-2070 has proved to be every bit as effective as current standards. However, it does much more and so will appeal strongly to those farmers who want to achieve the very best results possible in the fight against grass weeds. It also enables farmers and advisers to tailor pre-emergence and residual treatments to the key weed challenges in particular fields or farms.
The contact action of the two ingredients will provide the widest range of grass weed control in the UK. This includes bromes, ryegrasses and canary grass. The product also offers an extensive spectrum of broadleaved weed control including speedwells, geraniums, volunteer beans and pansies. And, there are no following crop restrictions, which means oilseed rape can be drilled after a winter wheat crop treated with GF-2070 without the need for specific cultivations and any crop can be sown the following spring.
GF-2070, in common with other pyroxsulam-based products, is recommended only as part of a programme using cultural and chemical approaches.
"A true pre-emergence spray is critical," says Dow AgroSciences’ Stuart Jackson. "We recommend a flufenacet-based treatment, or similar, which can be applied as part of a stack where infestations are high. However, growers cannot apply flupyrsulfuron-based treatments pre-emergence or the total permitted active will be exceeded.
"GF-2070 is then applied in the autumn at the 1-2 leaf stage of the crop. Where necessary, a residual partner can be applied as well. The key is to apply GF-2070 when weeds are actively growing to optimise its contact action. Our trials have shown that used in this way our new product will give control that is every bit as good as current standards."
In addition to its autumn recommendation, GF-2070 can be applied in spring, provided the all important pre-emergence treatments have been made.
GF-2070 extends the growing range of pyroxsulam-based products from Dow AgroSciences, that includes the well-established Broadway Star (pyroxsulam + florasulam) and Broadway Sunrise (pyroxsulam + pendimethalin) – the company’s flagship product for the control of blackgrass and other grass weeds this autumn.
Dow AgroSciences is making GF-2070 available through its UK distributor network in sufficient quantities to enable Britain’s farmers to try out the innovative new product. It will be priced competitively against current industry standard treatments.