Label extension gives more time to stop crop pests

Words: Neil Waddingtham, Bayer

This spring, after the withdrawal of chlorpyrifos, agronomists and contractors will be considering their options to control establishment pests in fodder beet and forage brassicas.

One very effective and convenient option is Sivanto prime which was launched in spring 2025.

Product use in spring 2025 exceeded Bayer’s expectations with the feedback received being very positive.

Already a very convenient and user-friendly formulation, the recent registration of Sivanto prime for the pre-emergence control of Nysius extends the application window meaning it can now be applied from pre-emergence through to the eight-leaf stage of the crop.

The large number of dairy conversions underway or planned are increasing the need to grow dairy support crops consistently delivering high yielding, quality forage.

To do this crops need attention as soon as planting occurs, with several pests keen to attack fodder crops during establishment.

Sivanto prime delivers extremely effective control of Nysius, springtails and green peach aphid making it the crop establishment insecticide of choice.

Insect pests are controlled in several ways with Sivanto prime including direct or indirect contact with the product as well as direct feeding by pests on the treated crop.

Pests have little opportunity to escape Sivanto prime.

As well as delivering translaminar control, meaning it controls insects on both sides of the leaf, recent work has conclusively demonstrated that it will control Nysius walking across treated soil*.

While it is well understood that Nysius and springtails feed on the plant causing physical damage resulting in dead or distorted plants, awareness is growing that viruses, which are aphid transmitted, also negatively impact plant health, fodder quality and yield.

Once an aphid infected with virus feeds on a plant, virus transmission occurs rapidly.

However, Sivanto prime acts quickly to control pests and stop them feeding, effectively helping reduce secondary virus transmission.

Sivanto prime is very straightforward and convenient to use.

Formulated as a soluble concentrate, it disperses rapidly in water to give an almost colourless, low-odour spray solution which has proved to be compatible with a range of herbicides and plant nutrients.

Launched in a 3L pack, it became apparent that a larger pack would be welcomed.

For 2026 both a 3L and 10L pack will be readily available.

Beneficials prolong pest control and diminish the risk of pest population flare ups.

They need to be protected and SIVANTO prime can be confidently integrated into IPM programmes.

Sivanto prime contains the active ingredient flupyradifurone, the only Group 4D insecticide registered in New Zealand.

The development of insecticide resistance is a constant threat and using insecticides with different modes of action is a proven way to reduce this occurring.

Speak to your agronomist for more information, download the user guide or i-Guide from the Bayer website, or visit YouTube to watch the Bayer team explain Sivanto prime.

* Trial work commissioned by Bayer demonstrated that Nysius walking across treated soil is controlled by Sivanto prime. Bayer trial IP26NZLFSNJS19.