Slugs to compete in “Race against Slime” at Tillage 2005
The exciting but little-known sport of slug-racing is due to make its debut at a major UK agricultural event next week. Farmers turning up for the Tillage 2005 events, taking place at Tetbury, Gloucestershire, on Thursday September 8 and Darlington, North Yorkshire, on Tuesday September 13, will be able to see three specially-selected slugs race for the finishing line in a custom-designed slug race track and predict the winner.
The “Race against Slime” has been organised by event sponsor and leading UK slug bait and adjuvant manufacturer De Sangosse. A Stocks slug pellet applicator will go to the lucky farmer who correctly predicts the result.
“We are keen to illustrate how important it is that farmers use a bait that is attractive enough to draw slugs away from vulnerable emerging crops,” explains sales and marketing manager Jean-François Testut. “We’re confident that a tray of Metarex at one end of the track will be an irresistible attraction for our racing molluscs and are looking forward to a nail-biting finish.”
But care will be taken that none of the competing slugs will suffer if they succeed in completing the course, he reassures. “Metarex is highly selective, but deadly to slugs, so we will make sure none of our finely-honed racing specimen actually consumes the bait.”
The Tillage 2005 event is the ideal opportunity for arable farmers to see the very best cultivation equipment in action and get advice for a new era in farming. The slug-racing is due to take place in the De Sangosse seminar marquee, where leading specialists will be offering advice on machinery costings, soil management and crop establishment.
“Slugs are the number one arable pest, but a hidden threat at this time of the year,” says Mr Testut. “An unsettled summer after last year’s population explosion means we could be facing unprecedented numbers this autumn.”
Exactly what the risk is likely to be for growers local to the event will be explained at Tillage by Jenna Willis from Rothamsted Research, who has developed a slug population prediction model based on historic values and future weather patterns.
“With oilseed rape in particular, a poor establishment is costly and slug damage can be devastating,” explains Mr Testut. “You usually get just one chance to protect the crop through the critical early stages. Farmers therefore need to apply a bait that works well and will last, even in wet and cold conditions.”
Products such as Metarex, Regel, Clartex and ESP are proven to last for up to three weeks in punishing wet conditions.
Helping young crops through the initial phases is also essential, stresses De Sangosse commercial director Kim Christo. “Autumn is the time to get on top of grass weeds, and a suitable adjuvant oil must often be added to your herbicide mix to ensure a good result.”
Methylated oils such as Drill, Phase II and mineral oil Cropspray 11e have been comprehensively tested and are proven to work with autumn-applied herbicides to increase activity and cost-effectiveness.
But crops facing less-than-ideal conditions may need the extra boost provided by root development products. “Poor seedbeds, slug and pigeon damage or late drilling are just some of the factors that lead to backward crops and low yields,” says Mr Christo. Route, applied alone or tank-mixed with the post-emergence autumn herbicide, stimulates early root development which helps get the crop established.
“Choosing the appropriate adjuvant for your herbicide programme can be a tricky task. Come to the De Sangosse marquee and, once you’ve picked your winning slug, ask us for advice on how to get your crops off to the best possible start this autumn,” he urges.
