THE Grain Industry Association of Western Australia (GIWA) Oat Council has confirmed that it has secured a permit for the use of Treflan 480 Herbicide, plus other registered products containing 480 grams per litre of trifluralin as their only active constituent, as a pre-emergent herbicide on oats for the suppression of certain annual grasses and broadleaf weeds.
This permit is from now until March 31, 2022.
The Oat Council confirmed that it would continue progressing the possibility of major use registration for trifluralin during this five-year time frame, and thanked industry, the Department of Agriculture and Food WA and the Grains Research and Development Corporation for its support.
Oat Council member and ConsultAg agronomist Garren Knell said it was good news that trifluralin was now registered on oats.
“Some growers have been experimenting with this product for a number of years,” Mr Knell said.
“But for first time growers, it’s really important to understand that treflan (trifluralin) can damage oats if it’s not used correctly.
“It’s critical to know where your seed is placed relative to where the trifluralin is placed.”
Mr Knell said high seeding rates meant growers needed a low operating speed to minimise their soil throw and they had to sow slightly deeper, at about 30 millimetres.
“This will vary depending on your seeding system, so growers need to seek specific advice for their situation, especially if you are first time users of trifluralin.”
Oat Council chairman Will Carrington-Jones reiterated the need to follow permit restraints, usage instructions and withholding periods for trifluralin.
“Western Australia now produces one of the world’s finest food-grade oat crops, to specification for customers from China, India and other parts of Asia,” Mr Carrington-Jones said.
“It’s critical we maintain our reputation for safe, quality food production through responsible chemical usage practices.
“Make sure you check the label restrictions, understand the usage instructions and observe the 75 day withholding period for trifluralin for grazing oats or cutting oats for stock feed.”
GIWA was formed in 2008 with the merger of NACMA WA, Oilseeds WA, the Western Oat Alliance, the Western Region Barley Council and Pulse WA, to form one association to represent the interests of those in the grain supply chain.