Extra spray data required by new EU rules

usage record sheet the reason for using each pesticide.

The measures listed for IPM are items familiar to farmers but are frequently not given full credit when deciding on the rate or timing of a pesticide. For example, if a good rotation is followed pesticide usage rates can be reduced.

Obviously, if you introduce a break crop you will reduce the take-all risk and eliminate the need for Latitude seed dressing for the following wheat crop.

Equally, if you follow wheat with barley you reduce the risk of volunteers from last year’s crop carrying disease to this year, which also reduces the chemical rates required.

Sowing dates will also influence disease risk. Early sown spring barley is less likely to have a mildew problem than late sown.

The increased risk from mildew with late sowing can be par tly offse t by using a varie ty with high mildew resistance. The risk to wheat f r om t ake- al l will al s o be reduced by late sowing on moisture retentive soils and by selection of a variety with a vigorous root system.

The value of good soil nutrition should not be underestimated when assessing disease risk and appropriate chemical rates.

Where soil fertility is poor, higher chemical rates must be used until such time as the nutrient status has improved.

However, don’t forget that fresh lime will aggravate a takeall problem in cereals. Waterlogging and poor drainage will increase stem-based disease and rhynchosporium in barley and septoria in wheat.

Disease spread can also be minimised by the use of hygiene measures such as control of volunteers and not carrying soil or trash from one field to the next with machinery.

Minimal use of insecticides or use of more selective insecticides will allow beneficial insects to survive and to feed on pests which damage crops.

ALERT

The use of natural controls must, in most cases, be supported by the use of chemicals. The use of chemical control should be informed by crop monitoring and the use of warning systems.

Weather forecasts and recent weather e vents play a significant part in determining appropriate pesticide usage. Potato blight forecasts are issued during the summer and warnings are also issued when other disease risks are high.

Pesticide advisors alert their clients when specific problems are identified in local areas.

Selection of pesticides must be determined by the efficacy of the chemical against t he target, its level of risk to humans and the environment, and its impact on beneficial organisms.

Pesticide programmes must also be designed so as to minimise the risk of resistance by reducing use and using chemicals with differing modes of action.

Pesticides must be registered for use on the specific crop and use must be within the rate and timing specified.

Well es tablished and scientifically proven fungicide timing programmes are a critical part of integrated pest management.

Such programmes are unlikely to provide results for the same fungicide product and timing across a range of different varieties and growing conditions.

Following implementation of some, if not all of the above guidelines, the farmer is now obliged to record the success or failure of the programme.

In conclusion, the regulation requires that pests, including weeds, diseases and insects in crops be monitored.

Cultural controls such as rotation, adequate nutrition and the selection of suitable varie ties must be used to minimise risk.

If there is a risk that those measures could fail appropriate chemical rates must be used.

Only approved pesticide advisors are allowed to make chemical recommendations to professional farmer users.