Important label update for users of AstroKerb

Dow AgroSciences is pleased to inform growers and advisors that CRD has granted an approval for AstroKerb to allow the straw from oilseed rape crops treated with AstroKerb to be burnt for heat or electricity production. The following updated statement will now appear on the label : “DO NOT remove oilseed rape straw from the field unless it is to be used for burning for heat or electricity production.”

“This new approval makes AstroKerb even more flexible to use in any autumn oilseed rape weed control programme. Last season, before this label update, straw could not be baled or removed from the field at harvest. But now growers have the option to remove straw from an AstroKerb-treated field, provided that straw is going to be burnt for heat or electricity generation,” says Alex Nichols of Dow AgroSciences.

He explains that, since AstroKerb will retain the same MAPP number, the new approval will cover current stocks of the product. “This means that straw from this autumn’s rape crop that receives an AstroKerb application, even if the updated statement is not actually on the label, can still be used for burning for heat or electricity generation. A revised label will be available from the Dow AgroSciences website from early November, should growers or advisors want to check any details.”

Following the successful launch of AstroKerb last autumn, oilseed rape growers have been commenting on the high level of black-grass, poppy and mayweed control achieved. “AstroKerb contains the well-known residual active ingredient propyzamide, which controls black-grass, a number of other grass-weeds and broad-leaved weeds, together with a low dose of the contact-acting aminopyralid that adds to the broad-leaved weed spectrum. As a co-form, this product controls most of the difficult weeds in winter oilseed rape,” says Alex.