Our roots in agriculture run deep

The basis of Dow AgroSciences’ LifeCycle project is that effective weed control comes from many aspects of agronomy, not just a herbicide. At its Wellesbourne research station the company has been putting theory into practice and the results are becoming clear.

A field at Wellesbourne has been host to the ‘LifeCycle’ research for four years. In year one, an even distribution of key grassweeds – blackgrass, ryegrass and sterile brome – was established. In the subsequent three years a matrix of treatments has been applied including:

• Continuous winter wheat vs two winter wheats and an oilseed rape

• Ploughing vs shallow cultivations before drilling

• Full and partial herbicide programmes.

In early May, Dow Herbicide Specialist Stuart Jackson visited the site and found that the trial site is now delivering some clear messages.

“The worst plot, without doubt, is where there has been continuous wheat that has always been established after shallow cultivations,” says Stuart. “Despite full herbicide programmes, there is a considerable amount of grassweed in the plots.”

Similarly, in the oilseed rape crops, where plots were drilled after ploughing, there is far more grassweed visible than in plots where shallow cultivation was used.

Long-term trial shows LifeCycle works in the field

LifeCycleNewsThe whole farm approach to controlling weeds in combinable crops

Continuous min-til.

Case Study: Using every available technique

STAR Open Day - 6th June 2014

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JUNE 2014

Into the plough.

“This is because the Kerb Flo 500 (propyzamide) has been able to act on the grassweed seeds which have remained in in the upper layer of the soil profile, rather than having to tackle weeds emerging from far lower down after ploughing,” says Stuart.

The plough certainly has a role in tackling grassweeds, especially blackgrass. Even in continuous wheat plots, just one season with the plough makes a difference to the control

Welcome to the second edition of LifeCycleNews, our regular newsletter that aims to bring together developments in the broad issues surrounding weed control in arable crops.

We are rapidly approaching Cereals 2014, which takes place at Chrishall Grange, Cambridgeshire. If you are planning to attend, then please do drop in and say hello, on our stand G-811-8.

If you are still wondering what LifeCycle is all about, this is an ideal opportunity to learn more about our work and how you can benefit.

It is also a forum where you can meet our technical experts and learn more about some of our innovative concepts including N-Lock and our latest break through in product packaging.

Even if you cannot get to Cereals and want to know more about any of our work, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Invitation to Cereals

Continued on page 2

LifeCycleNews 2

Dow AgroSciences’ roots in agriculture run deep and 2014 marks the 25th anniversary of a joint venture that led to today’s company which is dedicated to serving the industry in the UK and around the world.

In October 1989 a joint venture was announced between The Dow Chemical Company and Eli Lilly’s Elanco Products to create DowElanco which combined the plant science expertise of both businesses and Dow’s pest control business. At the time, this formed one of the world’s largest research-based agricultural chemical companies. The aim was to offer more for customers and to drive innovation.

This was the first of many industry joint ventures that illustrated the power of bringing together complementary portfolios. In the case of DowElanco, Dow was traditionally strong in the

corn market, while Elanco had a strong presence in the soybean market. In the UK, Dow had strength in broad-leaved weed control with Starane 2; while Elanco had Treflan for use in vegetables and later grassweed control in cereals.

In 1989, DowElanco established its global headquarters in Indianapolis, Indiana - in one of the world’s most productive farming regions with some world leading university research organisations nearby. By late 1993, an 800,000 square-foot headquarters was completed with extensive research facilties.

In 1997, Dow gained 100% ownership by purchasing Eli Lilly’s share. The company became a wholly owned subsidiary of Dow and was renamed Dow AgroSciences.

Dow has an agricultural heritage stretching back to the 1900s and its founder Herbert Henry Dow hailed from UK farming stock in Norfolk. Its first successful agricultural chemical was introduced in 1907. However, the formation of DowElanco was a critical stepping stone to today’s success.

Today, the legacy of over a century in the agricultural industry has led Dow AgroSciences to its current success with the most diverse pipeline of future products and technologies in the company’s history. This is why it is recognised as one of the world’s leading agricultural companies. Some might say this is just the beginning.

Our roots in agriculture run deepCelebrating 25 year milestone of joint venture

The Starane group of products has been

delivering unbeatable Cleavers control for

25 years – but we’re not resting on our laurels.

Starane XL has added benefits that will help

increase the value of your crop and deliver even

better value for money. Compared with Starane 2,

the unique formulation in Starane XL allows you to:

✔ Choose when to spray (March to May)

✔ Spray at the optimal time in April

and prevent Cleavers stealing yield

✔ Spray as late as GS 45 without

any loss of control

✔ Kill more broadleaved weeds

ALWAYS READ THE LABEL. USE PESTICIDES SAFELY. Starane 2 contains fluroxypyr. Starane XL contains fluroxypyr and florasulam.

*Starane is a trademark of Dow AgroSciences LLC. Dow AgroSciences Limited, Latchmore Court, Brand Street, Hitchin,

Hertfordshire SG5 1NH. Hotline number: 0800 689 8899 Email: UKHotline@dow.com www.dowagro.com/uk

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Looking beyondblackgrass control

ALWAYS READ THE LABEL. USE PESTICIDES SAFELY. Dow AgroSciences Limited, Latchmore Court, Brand Street, Hitchin, Hertfordshire, SG5 1NH. Tel: (01462) 457272. Fax: (01462) 426605.

Technical Hotline: 0800 689 8899. E-mail: UKHotline@dow.com *Kerb is a trademark of DowAgroSciences LLC. Kerb contains propyzamide.

The reduced effectiveness of herbicides tocontrol blackgrass in winter cereals is focusingattention on the use of Kerb Flo in oilseedrape. Residual-acting Kerb Flo gives you thescope to control blackgrass very effectivelywith no risk of resistance.That’s why Dow AgroSciences has developed a comprehensive support programme for you.Through regular advice and support, its aim

is to ensure the environmentally appropriateand the best use of Kerb Flo, especially withregard to Stewardship.Looking beyond today, we’re investing in new product research and development todeliver effective, environmental solutions for controlling blackgrass in the future.Look out for the support behind every pack of Kerb Flo: you’ll find it offers real value.

KERBFLO

*

20767_Kerb Ad_CPM_AW:1 5/8/09 16:32 Page 1

KERB the explosionof resistant Blackgrass!

ALWAYS READ THE LABEL. USE PESTICIDES SAFELY. Dow AgroSciences Limited, Latchmore Court, Brand Street, Hitchin, Hertfordshire, SG5 1NHTechnical hotline: 0800 689 8899 or email: fhihotl@dow.com *Kerb is a trademark of DowAgroSciences LLC. Kerb contains propyzamide.

With the build up of Blackgrass resistance, populations of over 1,000 plantsper square metre are now commonplace.

But this needn’t be so. Use Kerb in winter oilseed rape to helpmanage all types of resistant Blackgrass – reducing the problem across yourwhole rotation.

You can spray Kerb anytime from 1st October to the end of January. Thisgives you the flexibility you need to Kerb the explosion of resistant Blackgrass.

Kerb is now available from your local Dow AgroSciences distributor.

Kerb AD_CPM_7732 15/11/04 4:37 PM Page 1

Importance of a full herbicide programme.

A selection of advertisements from the past 25 years.

achieved by the herbicide programmes, but one year’s ploughing may not be enough.

The Wellesbourne site also makes the case effectively for a stacked programme approach to controlling grassweeds.

“Some plots of winter wheat have only been treated with a pre-emergence using Crystal at 4 L/ha which has not been followed up with the standard post-emergence treatment of Unite and Stomp Aqua. Again, these plots stand out for their weediness, showing the need to follow a full programme to make the most of every aspect of agronomy in fighting grassweeds in combinable crops,” concludes Stuart.

Continued from page 1

Poppy, mayweed, cranesbill, volunteer beans, blackgrass, ryegrass, wild oats, brome PHEW! Rotational control? Stand G-811-8 #cereals14.

Grassweed control can be a nightmare - come & talk cross rotational control in Cereals & OSR on stand G-811-8 #myfarmlifecycle #cereals14.

3 key factors affect crop yield – light, moisture & nitrogen availability. Use #NLock to protect your nitrogen from leaching.

#ASTROkerb treated OSR - not a poppy, mayweed or sow thistle to be seen. One happy grower!

Would you like to visit our trial site? If you and some friends would like to visit the Wellesbourne site, we are arranging with your suppliers a number of visits.

Talk to your agronomist or contact us for more details.

Three years ago Chris Page, an independent consultant with TAG Consulting, took on the challenge of delivering agronomy to an arable farm near Towcester in Northants.

Grass and broad-leaved weeds were a particular headache with blackgrass populations of up to 4,000/m2 along with wild oats, cleavers and cranesbill.

In keeping with the LifeCycle philosophy, Chris has sought to employ a range of techniques including cultivations, rotation and herbicides with different modes of action.

The standard rotation is winter wheat and winter oilseed rape along with some spring cropping. In winter wheat, the season begins with stale seedbeds using up to three glyphosate applications when possible.

A pre-emergence residual mix using ingredients such as tri-allate, diflufenican, flufenacet and pendimethalin.

Chris Page, Independent Consultant with TAG Consulting.

Keep in touchHello everyone! It has been a busy few months for the LifeCycle team. Groundsel is everywhere this year, and so we have looked into the background of the weed, and what you can do to control it. We have been out on farm chatting to the local farmers, looking at blackgrass control - what works, and what doesn’t. There is even a snapshot of what the Dow AgroSciences team have been up to throughout the month, featured in “the month in pictures”. So please, come have a look at myfarmlifecycle.com

The programme is completed post-emergence with ALS chemistry. In autumn 2013 Chris recommended Unite and has found it as good as similar products with improved activity on some broad-leaved weeds.

In recent years, establishment of winter cereals has been after ‘maxi-tillage’. However, in autumn 2013, in an effort to reduce soil disturbance and establishment costs, direct drilling has been tried.

To facilitate direct drilling and to remove some carryover of grass weed seeds, straw has been baled in suitable seasons.

LifeCycleNews 3

Oilseed rape, allowing the use of Kerb Flo 500 to tackle grassweeds, is an important part of the weed control strategy. Straw removal and direct drilling ensures weed seeds are in the upper layer of soil and therefore easier to control.

“There is no doubt that grassweed control is getting ever harder,” says Chris. “To keep on farming profitably will depend on using every technique available.”

“There is no doubt that grassweed

control is getting ever harder.”

Using every technique available

CASE STUDY

NORTHAMPTONSHIRE

There is an opportunity to learn more about the Sustainability Trial in Arable Rotations (STAR), a long-term fully replicated field-based study which began in 2005.

The research examines interactions between four different cultivation methods and four crop rotations on a

STAR Open DayFriday 6th June 2014

Join the LifeCycle communityIf you are interested in getting the most from your crops and using the best integrated approaches to your farm, then join in the LifeCycle programme.

It is not all about our products, LifeCycle aims to share best practice when it

LifeCycleNews 4

comes to controlling weeds in arable crops. If you want to know more, or join in the conversation then sign up at myfarmlifecycle.com for our regular newsletters.

Or follow us on Twitter #myfarmlifecycle

In the next edition of LifeCycleNews -

Finalising plans for the Autumn.

heavy Hanslope soil type using farm scale equipment on large plots:

• Long-term rotation studies are rare in our industry but they provide powerful agronomic and financial information for UK farmers

• Come along to this open event to see this unique study for yourself and find out a bit more about some of the changes we have seen.

The event, being held near Otley, Suffolk will provide an insight into weeds, soils,

yield and margins from each specific system.

Entry is free, but booking is essential.

For more details and to book visit niab.com

uk.dowagro.com UKHotline@dow.com @dowagrouk

USE PLANT PROTECTION PRODUCTS SAFELY. Always read the label and product information before use. For further information including warning phrases and symbols refer to labels. Dow AgroSciences Limited, Latchmore Court, Brand Street, Hitchin, Hertfordshire SG5 1NH. Email: DowAgroSciencesUK@dow.com. KERB and UNITE are trademarks of the Dow Chemical Company (Dow) or an affiliated company of Dow. Kerb Flo 500 contains propyzamide. Unite contains pyroxsulam and flupysulfuron-methyl. Technical Hotline: 0800 689 8899. E-mail: UKHotline@dow.com.

See our LifeCycle Lego Farm at Cereals 2014.