Choose your chemicals wisely
Key points:
• Growers must observe pesticide withholding periods
• PestFacts advisory service keeps growers informed as season finishes sharply
With windrowing and harvest fast approaching, South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI) entomologist Ken Henry urges growers to be mindful of withholding periods for pesticide applications made late in the season.
The latest edition of PestFacts SA and western Victoria, a service provided by the National Invertebrate Pest Initiative (NIPI), supported by growers and the Australian Government through the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC), contains information about pesticide withholding periods.
Mr Henry, SARDI Entomology’s PestFacts coordinator, said with such a sharp finish to the growing season this year it was vital that growers observe chemical withholding periods.
“Growers are reminded that windrowing or harvesting crops before the withholding period expires can leave unacceptable residues in the crop,” Mr Henry said.
“This can occur when managing late insect outbreaks such as native budworm, aphids or diamondback moth.”
Mr Henry said growers must confirm the applicable withholding period on the product label and observe the true definition of ‘harvest’ with regard to withholding periods.
“It’s important growers remember that label ‘harvest withholding periods’ apply to whenever the crop is cut,” he said. “This means time of windrowing is treated as point of harvest with regard to withholding periods.
“Growers should choose products with shortened withholding periods where required, or plan to harvest or windrow as late as possible, keeping in mind that recent seasons have finished off quickly in some regions with windrowing and harvest commencing earlier than expected.”
For more information contact PestFacts coordinators Judy Bellati on (08) 8303 9670 and Ken Henry on (08) 8303 9540, or visit www.grdc.com.au/pestlinks.