- Location
- Dorset/Wilts
I was quoted - through serviced agron - about £37/ht, £148/l. Two applications £70+. Why not use astrokerb??
New OSR herbicide Belkar -my experience
- Thread starter Woodlander
- Start date
I was quoted - through serviced agron - about £37/ht, £148/l. Two applications £70+. Why not use astrokerb??
I will get away with 0.25-0.3L/Ha.
I can’t use astrokerb as the crop is for seed and astrokerb isn’t allowed on seed crops.
- Location
- Leicestershire
Completely depends on weed spectrum. Belkar good on some broad leaved weeds but not others. Astrokerb good on some broad leaved weeds but not other.
@Woodlander perhaps with the exception of the cranesbill but not even sure about that are any of those weeds competitive against your well established osr? Not knocking just interested.
- Location
- Leicestershire
Sorry not time to reply in depth at the minute, other than to say I've seen both mayweed and Shepherds purse climb above an OSR canopy.
In that case I’m wrong! Thanks
SilliamWhale
Member
Why not?
Feldspar
Member
- Location
- Essex, Cambs and Suffolk
Yes, at the NIAB meeting said Belkar is good at what other OSR blw herbicides aren't good at. Poppy, shepherd's purse and cranesbill (and charlock?).
It’s the Law!
Label states don’t use on seed crops. I’m not sure why, but I do know it wouldn’t be worth my while giving it a go.
SilliamWhale
Member
Wonder why. Ive just farm saved some that astrokerb is that a seed crop. Vigou etc was fine
Hindsight
Member
- Location
- Lincolnshire
Usage restrictions on seed crops is quite common for herbicides. It is usually nothing to do with possible damaging effect on the seed but concern there may be some affect on the growth habit of crop which may affect the seed inspection process and thus result in a seed crop being downgraded. Understandably the agchem manufacturer does not want to place their business in a position where this may result in some financial claim.
How did the half rate Belka get on ?
- Location
- Leicestershire
Not strong enough in my situation, weeds were too large so a second application was required, which seems to have been good enough on the Shepard's purse and cranesbill but not the mayweed. Hindsight would say I should have gone straight in at full rate, as there has been very little weed germination since the first application. Hindsight would say apply earlier, but was waiting to ensure a fully established crop - the flea beetle down slow the weeds down! Astrokerb now on for the mayweed, (and grassweeds of course) but was hoping to go straight propyzamide following Belkar.
The later sown block, where weeds were smaller, the 0.25l/ha rate has done a good job. Straight propyzamide on this block.
I got on Ok with half rate Belkar, but having to go back with Astrokerb for the mayweed. I did consider another half rate Belkar mixed with straight propyzamide but I know Astrokerb will do a good job on the mayweed.
Our rape was drilled last week of September so weeds are small , been pricing up different mixes for bg and blw and Astro kerb full rate plus .25 Belkar seems better value , cheaper , and covering the bases better than full rate Belkar and kerb 500 , will be interesting.
Good point, well made.
In theory Belkar should control mayweed, if it has not done in the comments above, it is probably because half rates has been used. The half rate has potentially selected for more tolerant mayweed plants, so if allowed to go to seed, a slightly less sensitive population will be present. In practice however, if Astrokerb is used to control any remaining mayweed now, it shouldn't become a problem
- Location
- Owaka, New Zealand
What could possibly go wrong ... ?