Avoid the slippery slope

If you don’t plan before autumn sowing, things can go downhill fast.

White clover affected by slugs in early establishment.

Methven-based PGG Wrightson arable representative Tom Adams says across the area he covers slugs are a widespread problem.

He says he feels farmers’ frustration when a crop gets hammered. 

“It’s no fun looking at patchy crops where seedlings have failed to establish because of slug damage.”

Ash Pace, UPL NZ regional manager, central South Island, says slugs are often underestimated but can create a soul-destroying path of destruction in a crop in a very short time. 

“Seedlings are just one to two bites for a slug. It’s money spent on sowing, fertiliser, irrigation, fuel and labour wasted if you don’t think about your slug control programme pre or when planting.” 

Slugs can chew through up to 50 per cent of their own body weight every night. (Compare that with just two to four per cent of body weight daily for sheep and cattle.)

Pace says as soon as scheduling re-grassing spray-out is in place, the pest protection plan should be geared-up. 

“If you start monitoring early, you can pick up any slug pressure from the previous crop and pre-bait. Follow-up with a second application before emergence.”

A hessian sack is a simple monitoring solution. One slug can already signal a problem and action should be taken.

Biogro certified Ironmax Pro, from world leading molluscicide producer, French company De Sangosse, has proved its chops in the field, impressing NZ farmers and contractors. 

While take-up is broad, the new generation of field representatives like Tom Adams are championing the product. 

It’s a bait he’s got confidence in, being gentle on the environment without compromising efficacy. 

According to Pace, Ironmax Pro and its sister product, industry leader, Metarex Inov, have significant advantages over old-school coated baits. 

“Coated baits only have a lick of the active on the outside. With these baits, active is all the way through – a bit like a cookie dough. So, not a bite is wasted.”

He says the products’ superior spreading ability (ballistics) also means savings for growers and farmers by enabling effective cover in fewer passes; using less fuel, and saving on labour. 

“It saves a lot of extra refills. If you can get things done more effectively and in less time, why wouldn’t you?”

The shape is also consistent, so spread is reliable. 

“Coated bait is irregular in shape. That means, potentially, spread can be too.”

Colzactive technology is responsible for the exceptional palatability for both baits. 

Created by the De Sangosse R & D team, Colzactive comprises specially selected oil seed rape extracts. 

The team evaluated 20 different plant species, identifying 50 potential molecules for their attractiveness to slugs, and ultimately selecting two molecules slugs found irresistible. 

The baits are manufactured with the finest durum wheat using a unique wet manufacturing process, making them very rainfast, so they continue to perform in damp conditions.