On top of existing pests like leaf miner, aphids and springtails, Attack is now also registered for control of Argentine stem weevil

in these crops, giving it the widest range of insect control in the market.
 

“This latest development means farmers only need one product to control seven key insect pests in forage brassicas and fodder

beet,” explains Nufarm technical specialist Paul Addison.
 

As well as those already mentioned, Attack acts against the caterpillars of diamond back moth and white butterfly, and Nysius.

Addison says it achieves this impressive spectrum through five different modes of activity, namely contact, ingestion, fumigant, translaminar and repellency.
 

Argentine stem weevil traditionally has been associated more with pasture than forage crops but has become economically important for both forage brassicas and fodder beet.
 

“Adults and larvae feed by tunnelling into the leaf stems and growing points of new seedlings,” he says.
 

“This damage severely restricts plant development, causing stunting and plant death.” Helping keep things simple and efficient for farmers is the fact that Attack controls Argentine stem weevil at the same cost effective low rate of 500 mL to 1 litre per ha as for the other insects pests already on the label.
 

“As always, we recommend adding Contact Xcel to improve coverage, and it’s important that farmers remember to increase their water rates as the crop develops to ensure thorough coverage.”
 

Regardless of what specific pests are of concern, however, Paul Addison says the on  critical step for success with any crop is frequent inspection for signs of infestation.
 

“Best practice is to check paddocks every one or two days for the first three to four weeks after sowing. It’s a simple step that

can make a major difference to crop yield, and thus to the final economics of growing that feed in the first place.”
 

Four Nufarm trials comparing the DM response of turnips to repeat applications of Attack, compared with herbicide-only treatments, showed just what a difference pests can make to the outcome of a crop.
 

“The yield benefit of one Attack application (0.5L per ha) tank mixed with herbicides was an extra 535 kg DM per ha. The tank mix plus one further Attack application of 1 litre per ha three to four weeks later resulted in a yield gain of 1226 kg at an average cost of 8c per kg DM.
 

“Adding a third Attack treatment resulted in a yield gain of 2367 kg DM per ha more than turnips treated with herbicide alone, for a

cost of just 7c kg DM per ha. That’s not a lot of money for quality feed at that time of the year,” he says.
 

Attack contains two active ingredients (permethrin and pirimiphos-methyl) in an EC formulation.
 

Pack sizes are 1L, 5L, 20L and 200L.
 

For more detail, talk to your local Nufarm territory manager.