LAYA is a water-soluble granule formulation containing 200g/kg metsulfuron-methyl and is a reverse-engineered Ally SX . LAYA can be used for spring-applied broad-leaved weed control in wheat, barley, oats and triticale.

LEASH contains 200g clopyralid and is a reverse-engineered Dow Shield for use in controlling perennial and annual broad-leaved weeds on a range of different crops.

Life Scientific's strong scientific concept of reverse engineering is the ability to manufacture a product that is accepted as the same as that of the reference product by the regulatory authority. This means off-patent products are brought to market more quickly than previously possible.

"With wheat prices as high as they are, this presents a good opportunity for growers to push for higher yields and profits. It is certainly not the time to scrimp and hold back on inputs that will detract from the crop achieving its full potential," says Ruth Stanley, Life Scientific country manager for UK & Ireland.

"Heading into the first stages of winter, autumn sown crops are looking full of promise as a result of rapid crop development brought about by mild weather and good soil conditions," she says.

Recent reports state that at the end of November, 87% of the UK's winter wheat crop was in good-excellent condition, ahead of 84% at the same time last year.

However Mrs Stanley points out the mild conditions also means that there was a limited window to flush weeds through in stale seed beds, so less opportunity to control them in the autumn, putting more pressure on control in the spring.

"Well-timed herbicides will be important this spring, and success requires applying products early to small, growing weeds, which will more easily take up actives and are less able to detoxify them than larger weeds."

However, she also recognises that a balance between expensive inputs and pushing for yield has to be struck, and this is where she believes the new herbicides will fit into a cost effective spraying programme very well.

Laya is approved for spring-applied broad-leaved weed control in wheat, barley, oats, triticale and on land temporarily removed from production.

For winter cereals, application must only be made after 15 March and before the specified latest time of application. For spring cereals and green cover on land not being used for crop production, this product must only be applied from 1 April in the year of harvest until the specified latest time of application.

"Whilst there is a choice of different sulfonyl-urea active ingredients and blends available, metsulfuron-methyl, the active ingredient in LAYA, remains the best all-rounder to control a wide range of broad-leaved weeds in the spring," she says.

Mrs Stanley reminds users how it is important to use sulfonyl-urea's in programmes or tank-mix with herbicides with alternative modes of action. LAYA can be applied as a joint application with one of the following ALS herbicides: Barton WG, Boxer, CINTAC, Eagle, Galaxy, GF-184, Hatra, Horus, Hunter, NIANTIC and Othello.

"When herbicides with the same mode of action are used repeatedly over several years in the same field, selection of resistant biotypes can take place and resistant populations of common poppy, common chickweed and scentless mayweed have been recorded. If present, ensure that these weeds are controlled throughout the rotation or with alternative modes of action."

She also says whilst metsulfuron-methyl is readily absorbed by the foliage and roots, and translocated within the weed anything which slows down the weed's growth, e.g. drought, cold, or stress can affect the activity of ALS inhibitor herbicides."

"So these herbicides work best in good growing conditions and good spray coverage of the weed is important for the best levels of control."

LEASH is a foliar acting herbicide, containing 200 g/l clopyralid, effective against some key challenging annual and perennial weeds in a range of crops. LEASH is a selective systemic herbicide, which is effective mainly by foliar uptake, and belongs to HRAC Group 4 (Auxin mimics).

Whilst clopyralid is used extensively in sugar beet, oilseed rape and cereals, LEASH is also approved for use in other important UK crops, but Mrs Stanley advises checking the label as not all the crops have approval for the same timing, or individual or maximum dose, e.g. cereals have a maximum individual dose of 0.35 l/ha.

She gives the example for control of perennial weeds, such as creeping thistle, it is best to apply 0.5 l/ha at the rosette stage, and follow up with 1.0 l/ha 3 – 4 weeks later. For control of volunteer potatoes in sugar beet, 0.5 l/ha LEASH can be added to ethofumesate and phenmedipham. Two applications of 0.5 l/ha are recommended 7-14 days apart."

Mrs Stanley points out that control of weeds, mayweeds in particular, can be reduced if the weeds are under moisture stress at application.

Both new products are commercially available through distribution partners, ProCam and Hutchinsons.

More information on any of these products can be downloaded at  https://uk.lifescientific.com/#products

Weed control with LEASH