Strong commodity prices are driving renewed interest in pasture weed control this season, creating opportunities for rural resellers and advisors to help clients tackle one of the industry's most costly weeds.
According to Nufarm Business Development Manager Richard Bell, there is noticeably stronger demand for weed control programmes as farmers look to protect feed production and maximise returns from every hectare.
“What we’re seeing at the moment is a strong appetite. With the high commodity pricing, and return on investment for spraying weeds, there has never been a better time to get on top of Californian thistle,” says Bell.
Calis remain one of the most economically significant weeds in New Zealand pasture systems, reducing both pasture production and utilisation.
Bell says the focus for advisors right now should be helping clients identify the correct timing for the first step of Nufarm’s 2x2 Plan, which includes herbicides Sprinter 700DS, Baton 800WSG, Thistrol Plus, Agritone 750 and Omnia (all Group 4).
“The stage to target with herbicide application at this time of year is hard ball, prior to flowering,” he says. “That’s when there is still plenty of leaf and the plant’s sap flow is still going back to the root system.”
Bell says that timing window is approaching quickly across many districts, making it an ideal time for resellers to start conversations with clients who have known thistle pressure.
Population levels can vary dramatically from farm to farm, he says.
“There’s a huge range of population intensity on farms throughout Manawatū and Whanganui. Some paddocks might be 10%, some 50% and some can be up to 80%.”
While many farmers are familiar with spraying Californian thistle, Bell says there is still confusion around what successful long-term control actually requires.
“We need a programme for lasting control, not one shot,” he says. “Two applications over two years.”
A key message for advisors is that the hard ball application is only the beginning.
“Make sure farmers know this hard ball spray is not one and done,” Bell says. “It sets the stage for the follow-up in early autumn. That’s what makes it stick.”
The second application is a critical component of the 2x2 Plan and, according to Nufarm, failure to follow up is one of the main reasons for poor long-term control.
Bell says the return on investment conversation is particularly important this season.
“For farmers, controlling weeds needs to be about return on investment.”
He points advisors towards Nufarm’s Grassmanship app, which includes a dedicated Californian thistle calculator designed to help quantify the economic impact of infestations and the value of control programmes.
“It can be really helpful in those conversations with your farmers.”
Bell says the connection between weed control and feed supply is resonating strongly with farmers as they work to optimise on-farm performance.
“I’m getting a lot of enquiry around weeds. Home-grown feed is the cheapest form of feed we’ve got. Farmers want to maximise pasture production and get the best return on pasture investment.”
Another point Bell believes is worth reinforcing with clients is that Californian thistle behaves differently from many of the other thistles commonly found in pastures.
“There’s still a lot of misunderstanding around the 2x2 Plan. Californian thistle is the only true perennial thistle that we have. The rest are annual or biennial.”