Bayer CropScience unveils major nematicide stewardship drive

[request free nematicide stewardship e-learning CD]

Bayer CropScience today launched a comprehensive range of tools,  technology and training which aims to set new standards in the handling and application of granular nematicides - inputs essential to profitable potato production in the majority of the country's established growing areas.

From the company's UK headquarters at Hauxton, near Cambridge, nematicides product manager Dr Bill Lankford announced a major expansion of the training programme for users in 2005, together with the development of a new, interactive e-learning tool for growers and agronomists. In addition, Dr Lankford revealed new container and application technology designed to provide significant improvements in operator and environmental safety.

"Without nematicides, the UK potato area would have to increase, or imports would have to rise substantially - by as much as 15 per cent," he contended. "Stewardship manages any potential hazards to the point that operator exposure incidents and wildlife incidents are eliminated.

"What this programme aims to achieve is the promotion of best stewardship practice to all growers - significantly beyond current label recommendations - through giving it the highest possible profile."

Dr Lankford explained that 90 operators were trained and certificated in 2003, that figure rising to 263 this year, the first of Essential Use status. "Training will be at the forefront of the campaign for 2005, with more than 50 contact days planned around the country," he said. "All we need in each case is a group of operators and a venue."

The emphasis over the coming 12 months, he continued, will centre on a number of areas: incorporation techniques (including the fitting of fishtails to broaden the spread of nematicide on potato crops), calibration, headland management, spillages and care of Ultima containers, based on six years' experience of use.

"The Ultima, which enables the closed transfer of nematicide granules, is now designed for Temik as a 15kg pack. This refinement optimises the compatibility with applicator hoppers, while the containers themselves reduce storage area by over 30 per cent compared to the old 20kg packs," stated Dr Lankford. "In addition, we are introducing new, easy-to-fit cartridges for Temik and Mocap, manufactured by APCAL and supplied by TechNeat. Available for both two- and three-outlet hoppers, these cartridges will allow growers to use more than one product on their farms."

The wider picture of nematicide stewardship across the European Union was explained by Bayer's EU Stewardship Manager, Francis Gatineau. Aldicarb, he said, is used throughout Europe on many different crops, as diverse as cotton and lilies. However, 80 per cent of product used each year is applied to potatoes, sugar beet, vines and tobacco.

"The EU is seeking to better regulate the use of pesticides generally," said M Gatineau, "and it is developing something called The Thematic Strategy for the Sustainable Use of Pesticides." At the same time, the PSD is formulating a National Pesticide Strategy for the UK.

However, he added that new studies have revealed that the field use of aldicarb-based nematicides do not impact negatively on earthworms - it is, in fact, the cultivation machines that cause the greatest impact, and in any case, populations recover within 14 weeks.

M Gatineau pointed to the establishment of vineyards as an example of the crucial role of aldicarb and the need to be able to continue using it. "It is necessary to incorporate nematicide when planting vineyards - especially where there are free living nematodes (FLN) and on light and sandy soils - otherwise there is strong possibility that establishment will fail.

In France, he continued, Temik can only be applied by certified operators - mainly professional contractors - who have been trained and have acquired diagnostic experience.

The briefing concluded with a demonstration of the impressively comprehensive e-learning tool, an interactive CD-Rom that provides in-depth training in the safe use of nematicides and which is aimed principally at agronomists. A year in development, the e-learning tool was presented by Steve Higginbotham, Environmental Stewardship Manager at Bayer, who made the point that this is a route to certification for those who wish to study in their own time. In addition to its primary function as a training tool, the CD-Rom can also be used as a reference source for all aspects of nematicide usage.

The last word from Dr Lankford: "Nematicides are essential to keep UK root crop production viable and safe use is vital to their continued availability. As a result, Bayer CropScience will continue to invest heavily in stewardship."

Request free nematicide stewardship e-learning CD or register for training course

Growers, operators and agronomists can register for a place on a nematicide stewardship training course or obtain the nematicide stewardship e-learning CD by calling Bayer Assist on 0845 6092266 or request one using the contact form.

note: Temik 10G contains aldicarb and is a registered trademark of Bayer.