BROCHURE - Nufarm Sempra Nutgrass Control Herbicide - 190326

GRAZING PASTURE MANUAL

Sempra Plus Banjo for Navua Sedge Control in Grazing Pasture

Navua sedge (Cyperus aromaticus) is a highly competitive weed that has spread along many roadsides and into grazing pastures (Figure 1) across the wet tropics. It prefers wetter areas and grows during the summer months. It sets many seeds (Figure 2) which can be easily spread by machinery, wind, water, cattle and other wild animals.

Navua sedge has the potential to completely dominate a pasture. It adversely affects grazier returns due to reduced carrying capacity as a result of the decline in pasture production, and significantly reduces land valuations.

Nufarm has conducted trials over 5 years with excellent results leading to the registration of Sempra for control of Navua sedge in pastures.

Application Timing

Apply Sempra to actively growing, non-stressed Navua sedge following opening wet season rains (Sept/Dec). Application should cease once the Navua sedge begins to senesce, usually April/May.

Apply two applications of Sempra, 10 weeks apart to optimise control of Navua sedge present at the first application and subsequent germinations prior to the second application.

Weed and Grazing Management Plan

Sempra use must be strategically incorporated into an effective weed and grazing management plan (Table 1) for desirable results.

This Sempra herbicide management strategy maximises control of Navua sedge, significantly reducing subsequent germinations and populations. Increased pasture competition will continue to dominate the overall plant stand.

[Figure 1: Navua sedge infested pasture.] [Figure 2: Close-up of Navua sedge seed head.]

TABLE 1

NAVUA SEDGE APPLICATION TIMING FOLLOWING OPENING WET SEASON RAINFALL, UNTIL APRIL/MAY

Key Points to Achieve Optimal Control of Navua Sedge Using Sempra

1. Only spray Sempra on actively growing Navua sedge plants. This will usually be leading into early summer after good rainfall and when temperatures have increased. Sempra will not work as well during the cooler winter months when plant growth is slow.
2. Remove livestock 2-3 weeks prior to spraying. This allows the Navua sedge to recover from the stress imposed by grazing livestock, improving herbicide contact, uptake and performance.
3. Boom spray Sempra at 65g/ha - 100g/ha + Banjo at 1L/100L in 150-200L water/ha depending on the pasture height and density. Use the 100g/ha rate for dense infestations (Figure 3) or for more robust control compared with the 65g/ha rate. Apply using a boom spray with flat fan nozzles or apply using boomless nozzles ensuring correct calibration and a double-overlap spray pattern.
4. Use nozzles with a COARSE droplet spectrum.
5. Re-apply Sempra as above 10 weeks after the first application. Navua sedge sets many seeds and after controlling the existing stand a new germination from the seedbank in the soil will occur.
6. Cattle can be re-introduced after the 10 week grazing withholding periods are observed following each treatment. Manage grazing carefully, avoiding over-grazing which enables pasture growth to continue to dominate the plant stand and out-compete subsequent Navua sedge population emergence.
7. Prepare to re-treat the following season with the same strategy.

Following treatment, subsequent germinations are fewer, with significantly reduced seed-set compared with untreated plants. This enables increased pasture competition to continue to dominate the overall plant stand. (Figure 4).

[Figure 3: Dense Navua sedge infestation in pasture.] [Figure 4: Enhanced pasture growth through reduced Navua sedge competition following 2 applications of Sempra at 100g/ha + Bonza @ 1.0%v/v, applied 10 weeks apart.]

Grazing Withholding Period

DO NOT graze Sempra treated pastures for 10 weeks after application. If grazing is absolutely necessary following this 10 week withholding period, only graze for 1 week, and then allow the Navua sedge to re-generate for another 2-3 weeks prior to the second Sempra application.

Spot Spray Application Using Knapsack Sprayers

Sempra is also registered for spot spray application, at a rate of 1g/100m². ie add 1g Sempra to 10L water, add 100ml Banjo, and apply 10L of the mix per 100m².

Spot Spray Application Using Tractor Mounted Handgun Sprayers

Apply Sempra at a rate of 50g/5000m² ie add 50g Sempra to 100L water, add 1L Banjo and apply 100L of the mix per 5000m².

[Figure 5: Bar chart showing Average % Navua sedge component (visual), Innisfail and Gordonvale, Qld. Eurofins, 2013. Comparing Untreated control, Sempra 65g/ha, and Sempra 100g/ha at 0 DAT1, 70 DAT1, and 70 DAT2.]

PASTURE COMPETITION IS VERY IMPORTANT. DO NOT SLASH OR OVER-GRAZE BETWEEN OR DIRECTLY AFTER SEMPRA APPLICATIONS.

SPELL CATTLE IN YARDS FOR AT LEAST 1 WEEK AFTER REMOVAL FROM A NAVUA SEDGE INFESTED PASTURE TO HELP REDUCE SEED SPREAD.

[Figure 6: Bar chart showing Average Navua sedge biomass (g/m²), Innisfail and Aloomba, Qld. Eurofins, 2013.] [Figure 7: Bar chart showing Average % pasture component (visual), Innisfail and Aloomba, Qld. Eurofins, 2013.]

Adjuvants

Nufarm Banjo Spray Adjuvant has superseded Nufarm Bonza Spray Adjuvant. However, field trials have demonstrated comparable efficacy between these adjuvants in terms of agronomic performance (Figure 8), and therefore either may be used. These trials also demonstrate the importance of adding a spray adjuvant for optimal results.

[Figure 8: Bar chart showing Efficacy of Bonza v Banjo v no adjuvant - % non-viable seed heads v UTC. Average 2 trials, El Arish and Ingham, 2015.]

Pasture Use Pattern

DIRECTIONS FOR USE RESTRAINTS DO NOT apply more than 200g/ha per season. DO NOT apply after the onset of frosts. DO NOT apply this product through any type of irrigation system. DO NOT apply if heavy rain is expected within at least 48 hours.

PASTURE (NORTH QUEENSLAND ONLY)

WITHHOLDING PERIOD GRAZING Pasture: DO NOT GRAZE LIVESTOCK OR CUT FOR FODDER OR FORAGE FOR TEN WEEKS AFTER TREATMENT

SEMPRA IS REGISTERED FOR USE IN PASTURE, AN IMPORTANT CONSIDERATION FOR CATTLE-CARE HERBICIDE DECLARATIONS. THIS USE PATTERN IS UNIQUE TO THE SEMPRA HERBICIDE LABEL.

Mixing

Sempra is a dry flowable granule that disperses in water. Add the measured amount gradually to a part-filled spray tank while maintaining continuous bypass agitation. Add the surfactant near the end of the filling process to avoid excessive foaming. Remove the hose from the mixing tank immediately after filling to avoid siphoning back into the water source. If allowed to stand, ensure that the mixture is thoroughly agitated before re-commencing spraying. Use the mixture within one day.

Adjuvant Addition

Sempra must be applied with Bonza or Banjo or Supercharge Elite at 1L/100L to ensure uptake. For hand-gun or knapsack application, add Bonza or Banjo or Supercharge Elite at 100mL/10L of water.

Sprayer Cleanup

Before application of products other than Sempra the sprayer must be cleaned out as follows:

1. Drain the tank and flush equipment with water for a minimum of 10 minutes, including hoses, filters and booms.
2. Fill the tank with clean water and add chlorine bleach (contains 4% chlorine) at the rate of 300mL/100L of water. Flush through the boom and agitate for 15 minutes.
3. Repeat step 2 above.
4. Remove all nozzles and screens and clean thoroughly.
5. To remove traces of chlorine bleach, rinse the tank thoroughly with clean water and flush through hoses and booms. Caution: DO NOT use chlorine bleach with ammonia. All traces of liquid fertilizer containing ammonia, ammonium nitrate or ammonium sulphate must be rinsed with water from the mixing and application equipment before adding chlorine bleach solution. Failure to do so will release a gas with a musty chlorine odour which can cause eye, nose, throat and lung irritation. DO NOT clean equipment in an enclosed area.

Following Crops

The following crops may be planted at specific time intervals following application of approved rates of Sempra in approved situations. Use the time intervals listed below to determine the required time interval before planting.

SprayWise Decisions® is an online weather forecasting site commissioned by Nufarm for planning your crop protection applications. Key application criteria are forecast for your property and provided in easy-to-read meteograms or spray planner, allowing you to choose the most appropriate application window. SprayWise Decisions is available at

For further information on Sempra use in pasture, contact your local Nufarm Area Sales Manager.

The information and recommendations set out in this brochure are no substitute for professional or expert advice and are based on tests and data believed to be reliable at the time of publication. Results may vary, as the use and application of the products is beyond our control and may be subject to climatic, geographical or biological variables, and/or developed resistance. To the maximum extent permitted by law, Nufarm Australia Limited disclaims all warranties of any kind, whether express or implied, including but not limited to any warranty that the information is up-to-date, complete, true, legally compliant, accurate, non-misleading or suitable. © 2016 Nufarm Australia Ltd. All trade marks (®,™) are owned by Nufarm Australia Ltd or used under license.