Farmers Battle With Grass Grub

Press, 21 February 1986, Page 19

Farmers Battle With Grass Grub

DRYLAND farmers in Canterbury who have switched to irrigation are experiencing a problem they have not had to worry about before — grass grubs. Sheep and cropping farmer, Gordon Fulton of Swannanoa, says the addition of irrigation on his 400 ha property increased the problem of grass grub to the point where something had to be done about it. “In this part of the country it normally browns out fairly early and that gave vthe grass grubinothf ing to feed on later in

the season. With irrigation more, top cover is carried over later and the grass grubs have plenty to feed on,” Gordon said.

One particular 7ha paddock close to the road had a bad grass grub infestation and, before cultivation, large rings could be seen in several parts of the paddock among the volunteer barley after the previous barley crop. The paddock also suffered badly with couch so it was sprayed prior to cultivation, which consisted of ploughing, grubbing twide then an application of

lime. The paddock was resown in Illia variety wheat. Shell’s Counter 20G had been mixed with the super at the recommended rate of 3kg/ ha and applied at drilling.

Gordon was not aware that Counter could have been mixed with the seed but considered that it made the product, “definitely more attractive because it provides you with another option”. “It’s really a case of whichever system is easiest and it would depend on your gear whether it was better to put Counter in with

the seed or' separately with the fertiliser at drilling.”

It is important to note that Shell’s recommendation is to sow Counter “down the spout” into the seed furrow.

Gordon’s property consists of 400 ha with HOha in crop this year and running around 3700 ewes and 1000 hoggets. He is happy with the results of his Counter use. It has provided good early protection of seed and, with irrigation, the fact that it is not as soluble as other products has meant the effects of Countepast longer in the soil.

Another factor which Gordon noticed was that Counter did not have as strong a smell as some insecticides. Others have a steriching agent added but Counter does not volatilise as much as the effects of the chemical vapour are not as noticeable. Gordon Fulton is an early user of Shell’s Counter but he is satisfied with the results so far. The fact that it is cheaper, than other products as well as appearing to be more effective means he will be using it for other crops and more extensively in the future.