Fierce, active ingredient pyroxasulfone and flumioxazin, just
obtained approval for postemergence applications in Georgia wheat as a Section
24(c) Special Local Need Label.
Valent and I have developed this
use to help growers struggling with ryegrass that is resistant to postemergence
herbicides. Our intentions for the
2014/2015 crop are to have a controlled use of Fierce allowing Valent
and UGA Cooperative Extension the chance to determine if the herbicide can be
used to effectively manage problem weeds while having acceptable crop
injury.
Application of Fierce:
1. Follow the label exactly; it is listed below.
2. Wheat must be planted 0.75 to 1 inch deep and
cannot be broadcast spread.
3. Apply Fierce
at 1.5 oz/A in ONLY water when wheat is between the spike and 2-leaf stage; ryegrass needs to be spike or
smaller.
4. Apply Fierce only in water. Notice I just mentioned twice that you cannot
have anything in the tank other than clean water and the herbicide; no
exceptions so don’t even call and ask!
5. Must use 10-15 GPA; prefer 15 GPA if weeds
are emerged.
6. Do not apply with airplane.
7. Only for wheat!! No need to ask about other grain crops at
this time, only wheat.
On-Farm Evaluations:
Several agents have been
contacted directly and asked to work with Valent conducting split field
comparisons treating half the field with Fierce and half the field with the grower’s
standard program to improve our knowledge.
If I have not contacted you but you have a burning desire to take a look,
contact your local Valent salesman which should be one of the following:
John Altom: 352-316-1366; David
Yoder 850-377-8137; or Jerry Dowdy: 803-422-6605
Crop Injury:
1. Greatest potential for injury
occurs when 1) label recommendations are not followed and 2) when open/cracked
seed furrow allows herbicides to directly contact the seed, when seed are
planted to shallow, or when seed are planted in a deep furrow that allows
herbicide concentration after a rain/irrigation event while wheat is growing.
2. Even when following the label, injury will
occur in some environments. This is why
we are taking such a conservative approach.
With that said, our research suggests the benefits in weed control far
outweigh injury concerns when following the label; you guys need to tell us if
the research is accurate or not.
3. Strongly suggest growers only try a field or
two; do not treat the farm!!!!
Limited Product:
1. We believe there will be enough product to
treat about 6000 acres which is limiting but exactly what we need for this
season.
