Following recent approval granted by CRD, the new double strength formulation of clopyralid, Dow Shield 400, can now be used in forage maize and Brussels sprouts, adding to its already extensive list of sugar beet, red beet, fodder beet, mangels, oilseed rape, grassland, ornamentals, wheat, barley, oats, swede and turnips.

David Roberts of Dow AgroSciences says that the new concentrated formulation of Dow Shield has the same weed control efficacy, the same excellent crop selectivity and the same excellent compatibility but contains twice as much clopyralid and so growers apply half as much per hectare as they used to do with Dow Shield 200. It controls a number of perennial weeds including creeping thistle, perennial sow-thistle and dandelion and a range of annual weeds including mayweed, groundsel, corn marigold and smooth sow-thistle.

The new recommendation for the control of annual weeds in all varieties of forage maize is to apply Dow Shield 400 at 0.25 litres/ha in 200-250 litres of water after the three leaf expanded stage. The maximum individual dose is 0.25 l/ha with a maximum total dose of 0.25 l/ha. The latest time of application is up to and including 9 or more true leaves unfolded.

The new recommendation for the control of annual weeds in all types and varieties of Brussels sprouts is to apply Dow Shield 400 in the spring at 0.25 litres/ha in 200-250 litres of water. For the control of creeping thistle, apply Dow Shield 400 at 0.25 l/ha for the first application at rosette stage, followed by a second application three to four weeks later at 0.5 l/ha. The maximum individual dose in Brussels sprouts is 0.5 l/ha with a maximum total dose of 0.75 l/ha.

Applications should only be made to direct drilled brassica crops after they have reached the two true leaf expanded stage. Transplanted crops can be treated once they are growing strongly and are fully established. The latest time of application is up to and including 9 or more true leaves unfolded.

David Roberts says that these new Dow Shield 400 recommendations will not yet appear on the label in distributor or farmers stores. He advises that growers should be in possession of the appropriate Notice of Approval which can be downloaded from the Dow AgroSciences web site at www.dowagro.com.

He points out that, as Dow Shield 400 is recommended at half the dose rate of Dow Shield 200, farmers will benefit from a quicker spray operation, with fewer packs to open, rinse and clean.  “The new Dow Shield 400 pack has self seal technology with no induction seal, making spraying more streamlined and pack disposal much easier and quicker.”

Dow Shield 400 contains 400 g/litre of clopyralid formulated as a soluble concentrate and packed in a 2 litre pack.

For further information, please contact David Roberts, Dow AgroSciences on 07976452475 (mobile) or via the Dow Technical Hotline on 0800 689 8899.