The biophysical grain treatment, Silico-Sec is ticking all the boxes when it comes to treating grain pests in the grain heap, according to Richard Fawkes of Wallace of Kelso.
He explains that he first got involved with Silico-Sec on an organic farm in the North East. "The manager was looking for a non-chemical organic solution to grain pests in store and Silico-Sec fitted the bill. But it also proved to be an effective solution for conventional crops as well as organic ones. Many of our growers have now tried it straight onto the grain heap and have found it to be highly effective. In fact when compared to a well known chemical treatment, Silico-Sec performed much better with no obvious live pests seen after treatment," says Richard.
"It is particularly effective on grain mites, which are not always easy to control in store. As a powder, it is applied across the face of the grain and appears to be able to get to the grain mites more efficiently than other treatments," he says.
Richard Fawkes also thinks that the concept is right. "Silico-Sec is obviously effective but it is also non-chemical. This means that it is safe to the operator and the environment and can be easily transported. It leaves no residues and also has no with-holding period, so growers can move the grain quickly if need be. It ticks all the boxes as far as I am concerned."
Dr. David Stormonth, Technical Manager for Interfarm, explains that Silico-Sec is an environmentally safe, non-toxic, proven treatment derived from diatomaceous earth consisting of highly micronised specific amorphous silica. "It is the absorbent silica in the product that controls insects and mites, by abrading the outside of the pests, removing the water-proofing wax in their cuticles and resulting in desiccation and death."
"Silico-Sec can be used on stored crops for the management of a wide range of insect pests and mites, with no issues of resistance, residues or restrictions associated with chemical-based treatments. As a biophysical product, it is considered to be inert and so is exempt from registration under the UK’s Control of Pesticides Regulations. Cereal and rape growers at the start of the food-chain can use Silico-Sec as a non-chemical pesticide control measure which is acceptable to processors and consumers at the end of the chain," points out David.
Dr. Stormonth explains that Silico-Sec is effective against all target pests, including grain mites, grain weevil, the saw-toothed grain beetle, the red-rust flour beetle and the larvae of the cosmopolitan flour moth. "Because it is biophysical, Silico-Sec has no resistance issues controlling all pests, including those resistant to other chemicals. It is a natural, non-toxic alternative to OP treatments and can be used in both conventional and organic farming," adds David.
As a treatment to stored grain, Silico-Sec can be applied to the grain surface, either as a low cost preventative treatment at a rate of 200g/m² or as a localised curative application at the rate of 600g/m², depending on the extent of the problem. It should be applied to the surface of stored grains after the heat and moisture content have been reduced within the HGCA guidelines and then worked into the top 30 cms with a rake.
For further comment and information, please contact Dr. David Stormonth, Technical Manager, Interfarm UK Ltd. on 01354 741414 or 07818 036506 (mobile) or via e-mail david.stormonth@interfarm.co.uk
