New tool to control cleavers

Aug 13, 2018

Canola producers can use quinclorac next year, thanks to the recent establishment of CODEX MRLs for the active ingredient

By Kate Ayers
Staff Writer
Farms.com

Canola growers will have another tool to add to their weed management toolboxes following the establishment of a Maximum Residue Limit (MRL) for quinclorac.

The CODEX Alimentarius Commission established the MRL, a BASF release said on Monday. As a result, quinclorac has been omitted from 2018-2019 grain company declaration forms.

This development is a critical step towards helping canola producers control cleavers – tough and resilient weeds.

Cleavers are a “really hard weed for Canadian growers to control, especially in canola,” Sydney Marlow, the canola crop manager for BASF, said to Farms.com on Monday.

“There are not a lot of tools to-date that are available to control this weed. It is challenging because it produces a lot of seed and the seed is very similar in size to canola seed. Then, when growers take the grain in to market it, unfortunately they often get docked because it is really hard for the grain buyers to separate out the cleaver seeds from canola seeds.”

Many stakeholders in the industry worked together in this MRL process.

“BASF submitted a comprehensive data package to support the establishment of CODEX MRLs for quinclorac,” Marlow said in the company release.

“Coming in 2019, Canadian growers can use Facet®L herbicide in their canola to get the best available cleaver control in Canada, while having confidence in the marketability of their crop.”

This product provides both burndown and residual control, and is compatible with any herbicide-tolerant system, the release said.

Facet®L has a wide application window – from pre-seed and pre-emerge up to the six-leaf stage in canola – giving producers flexibility when managing cleavers in their fields.

“What is really unique about Facet®L and will really benefit Canadian producers is that it is a liquid formulation, which growers tend to like working with,” Marlow said to Farms.com.

“It is really the only option in canola that can be applied pre-seed or pre-emergence and (producers) can tank mix it for in-crop (applications) no matter what type of canola they are growing.”

A range of rates are registered for this product as well.

High and low application rates give “growers the option to tailor the weed control they need on almost a field-by-field basis.”

Growers are always encouraged to consult with their grain handlers before applying products to ensure the marketability of their crops.

UPDATED Aug. 15, 2018

Video: The FCDC and AgSmart Bring Plant Breeding to a Wider Audience

In the vast prairies of Alberta, Olds College’s Field Crop Development Centre (FCDC) stands as a beacon of innovation and research in the agricultural world. The institution has become a key player in advancing agricultural technologies and practices. The FCDC’s commitment to applied research has driven them to seek effective means of disseminating their findings and creating a positive impact on the farming community.

One such avenue that aligns with their mission is AgSmart, an event dedicated to showcasing cutting-edge agricultural technologies. The coming together of the FCDC’s annual Field Day and Ag Smart has proved to be a natural fit, fostering a synergy that benefits both parties and propels the agriculture industry forward. The FCDC Field Day took part in conjunction with AgSmart for the first time this week on Aug. 1-2 in Olds, Alta. FCDC Program Director Kofi Agblor and Olds College VP of Development Todd Ormann sat down for an interview with Marc Zienkiewicz to discuss the significance of the two events taking part together and what the future holds.

The Intersection of Research and Technology The essence of the FCDC lies in its dedication to plant breeding and new seed varieties, particularly barley and triticale. While conducting research is essential, it becomes meaningful when its benefits are shared with the wider community. This is where AgSmart steps in, providing a key venue for the FCDC to showcase their research. This union between research and technology creates a holistic and enriching experience for farmers, ranchers, and industry professionals, the pair said.

Seeds as Technology For the FCDC, the partnership with AgSmart goes beyond mere event collaboration. It is about creating an environment that bridges the gap between seeds and smart technology, Ormann said. The college believes that for technology to truly revolutionize agriculture, it must begin with a strong foundation — high-quality seeds. As the saying goes, “it all starts with a seed.” To demonstrate this critical aspect, the collaboration aims to showcase the seed value chain as an integral part of the smartphone.

The Birth of a Powerful Alliance The idea of joining forces emerged when staff realized the potential synergy between AgSmart and the FCDC Field Day. With just a few days separating the two events, a proposal was put forward to merge them. The marketing and communications teams from both sides worked seamlessly to ensure the essence of both events remained intact, creating a powerful alliance that leverages the strengths of each, Agblor said.

Driving Advancements in Breeding For Agblor, the partnership with AgSmart has tremendous potential to drive advancements in breeding and other technology. With technologies like drones and imaging becoming integral to phenotyping, breeding is no longer confined to vast fields to assess thousands of plants manually. Instead, it benefits from the data-rich insights brought about by smart technologies. These advancements make breeding more efficient, precise, and instrumental in shaping the future of agriculture.

Overcoming Challenges Together While the partnership between Olds College and Ag Smart has been a resounding success, there are challenges on the horizon. Securing stable funding for long-term breeding initiatives is crucial to sustain progress. The college is committed to navigating these challenges and investing in agriculture’s future sustainably, Agblor said.