GRASSLAND farmers treating frit-fly infestations this autumn are being alerted to new application guidelines that have been issued for the insecticide chlorpyrifos.

New guidelines issued by the “Chlorpyrifos: Say NO to DRIFT” stewardship group are calling for boom sprayer applications to be made using LERAP three-star-rated lowdrift nozzles for all chlorpyrifos applications and a 20-metre no-spray buffer zone to be employed adjacent to watercourses.

Steve Ellis of ADAS warns that, unless changes are made to the way the product is applied to grass re-seeds, growers face a future without it.

With applications imminent for controlling frit-fly at the critical emergence stage of a new ley, Dr Ellis warns that the pest can cause significant damage, seriously affecting grass yield and potentially destroying the new crop.

“With early-sown leys at most risk, especially those containing a high percentage of rye grasses and Italian ryegrass in particular, farmers should be prepared to treat with chlorpyrifos and they should be applying at emergence where damage is anticipated.”

Dr Ellis says it is imperative the new chlorpyrifos application guidelines are adhered to in order to protect the longterm availability of this important and widely used insecticide, which is under threat due to regulatory pressure.

Bill Jones, agronomist at BCW(Agriculture), says: “Chlorpyrifos is an essential product for grassland farmers; we need to maintain it for the future, therefore farmers should do everything possible to ensure it is not reaching watercourses.”