Maize seed coating

[epfarms]

We couldn’t get hold of maize seed with Mesurol this year, put it in with “Force 20CS” on instead on agronomists advice. Large patches completely picked out by rooks when about 2-3” high. Agronomist says the seed was first damaged by May Bug larvae then pecked out whilst dying. This is seen in 3 different fields over 1km apart, other guys fields in between untouched.
We’ve never seen this before, has anyone else? What coatings are people using instead of Mesurol and how have you got on?
We redrilled the lost patches with some old Mesurol coated stuff and all looks good so far!

 

[deleted user 837354]

I thought the mesurol was being done away with i.e. banned?

If Force is the same stuff they coated wheat seed with be wary of touching the seed or getting it near you.

The only defence is a good man with a gun.

May bug larvae are only an issue in long-term established grass. I can count the times I had seen them in ploughed up grass on one hand so I'm a bit dubious about the explanation given. Could it be wireworm larvae or that the crop was very slow to get going in the dry?

The seed dressings don't last forever; in a protracted emergence you will lose its affect.

 

[Will Blackburn]

Drill later and deeper is the advice.

 

[Cuthbert]

A few fields around here been eaten had to be redrilled. One had a 10 acre patch in the middle. That was force dressing.

 

[Barry]

Your agronomist may well be right but I think seed treated with Korit may be a better bet in keeping the birds of next year.

 

[epfarms]

I thought the mesurol was being done away with i.e. banned?

If Force is the same stuff they coated wheat seed with be wary of touching the seed or getting it near you.

The only defence is a good man with a gun.

May bug larvae are only an issue in long-term established grass. I can count the times I had seen them in ploughed up grass on one hand so I'm a bit dubious about the explanation given. Could it be wireworm larvae or that the crop was very slow to get going in the dry?

The seed dressings don't last forever; in a protracted emergence you will lose its affect.

Yes it is being done away with, here lies the issue. It was ground that hasn’t had grass in it for three years and it sprung straight out the ground. We’ve had people shooting, bangers, scarecrows since but got caught off guard initially as isn’t usually an issue. If it had been slow emergence etc it wouldn’t be surprising, we’ve not had rooks peck it out when it’s 3” up before.
The only difference I see between this year and the last 5 is the Mesurol!

 

[deleted user 837354]

Yes it is being done away with, here lies the issue. It was ground that hasn’t had grass in it for three years and it sprung straight out the ground. We’ve had people shooting, bangers, scarecrows since but got caught off guard initially as isn’t usually an issue. If it had been slow emergence etc it wouldn’t be surprising, we’ve not had rooks peck it out when it’s 3” up before.
The only difference I see between this year and the last 5 is the Mesurol!

If it hasn't been grass for 3 years how the heck were there cockchafer grubs in it?

 

[Boysground]

Have used korit for a couple of years now. No noticeable problems with rooks yet.

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[Devon James]

Have used korit for a couple of years now. No noticeable problems with rooks yet.

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Just nasty stuff to have to be around

 

[Bury the Trash]

crooks are your friends if theres leather jackets. and if their belly is full of them , theres less chance of eating the the grain or green shoots mind you it would be the perfect meat and 2 veg....

 

[epfarms]

Thanks for the response guys. Sounds unlikely to be the larvae on the basis it’s not been grass for some time. I’ll give Korit a go I think.. things looking ok for now so hoping that’s the end of the issues for this year (maize issues at least!!)