It introduced farmers to the broadest spectrum of weed control in this category when it was first released; it was the New Zealand first and it’s still the only formulation of its type.
 

Featuring outstanding weed control and two hour rainfastness, Tribal Gold combines three key active ingredients in one can to

control the broadleaf weeds that often compromise new pasture performance.
 

Nufarm technical specialist Paul Addison says Tribal Gold’s co-formulation of MCPA, MCPB and flumetsulam took two years of development and testing, and was created after the company noticed a common trend in weed species in pasture renewal programmes.
 

Local trials showed that this combination of active ingredients consistently provided the highest level of early broadleaf weed control in new pasture prior to the first grazing.
 

For farmers, Addison says Tribal Gold’s spectrum is a key selling point which differentiates it from other herbicides which combine MCPA and MCPB.
 

“This is because we have included flumetsulam in the Tribal Gold mix, and it controls a large number of seedling weeds including annual buttercup, chickweed, cornbind, cleavers, spurrey and storksbill, to name a few.”
 

Other species controlled include black nightshade, docks, fathen, hedge mustard, stinking mayweed, mallow, plantain, redroot,

shepherd’s purse, thistles, twin cress, willow weed and wireweed.
 

Up until now killing such weeds typically required application of two or more herbicides, Addison points out.
 

“Tank mixes have been effective, but obviously it’s much more efficient to just use one product, especially in early stages of pasture establishment.
 

“Once broadleaf weeds get past the seedling stage, it takes more herbicide to ensure a good kill, so anything that makes it easier

for farmers to control weeds when they’re small and vulnerable makes good economic sense.”
 

Farmers have also welcomed Tribal Gold’s relative kindness to grass and clover.
 

“They like that it provides outstanding early weed control, without killing young clover. Some temporary clover suppression may occur, but recovery is rapid.”
 

Its two hour rainfastness can make a big difference when farmers are trying to spray paddocks in changeable spring and autumn

weather.
 

Tribal Gold’s features are not just limited to new pasture, however – Addison Paul says it can also be used to control broadleaf weeds in established pasture.
 

Tribal Gold contains 300 g/L MCPB, 20 g/L MCPA and 10 g/L flumetsulam as the DMA salts. Recommended use rates are 4-5 L/ha with Bonza spraying oil at 500 mL/100 litres of water. The new product has a grazing withholding period of 14 days.
 

It is a first for this country, featuring outstanding weed control and two hour rainfastness.