That's according to Agronica New Zealand, which says Mavrik's recent label extensionbrings a unique new SP insecticide option tothe market.

National key account manager Daren Mabey says while autumn and winter will be a key selling season into cereals, spring is also an important opportunity, and his clients are positive about market prospects over coming weeks.

"At this time of the season the focus is firmly on Mavrik's ability to provide effective aphid control in wheat and barley, with the added benefit that it is suitable for IPM and can be used at the same time as other crops are flowering.

"This is especially relevant in Canterbury, where growers often have a wide variety of highly specialised, high value seed crops

needing to be pollinated around the time they want to spray cereals for aphid control."

Safe to bees, even if directly sprayed, and safe to most other key beneficial insects in agricultural crops, Mavrik contains the active ingredient tau-fluvalinate and is the only product of its type registered for use in NZ cereals.

"Conventional organo phosphate and pyrethroid insectides can affect beneficial insect populations, whereas Mavrik is can be used as part of IPM programmes."

Daren Mabey says this spring will be good launch pad for next autumn and winter, when he expects strong demand from Mavrik.

"More and more the industry is moving towards minimum tillage or no till cereal crop establishment techniques, and of course that sets up the perfect environment for slugs.

There's been quite a need for something that would have minimal effect on carabid beetles which play a significant role as a key

predator of slugs.

"Mavrik is perfectly positioned to meet that need."

For more detail visit www.agronica.co.nz