Three industry leading manufacturers have formed a new partnership to help safeguard the future of a post-emergence herbicide that is under threat of de-regulation when it is up for re-approval in 2025.
Bentazone is highly soluble in water and mobile in soil and has been detected in both ground and surface water for many years, making this partnership vital for protecting the chemistry for the future of crops such as peas, beans, potatoes, alliums and linseed.
BASF, Nufarm and Sharda Cropchem have formed the “Know the Bentazone Risk” initiative which is aimed at promoting sustainable on-farm water stewardship
In addition to supporting farmers, the group will highlight good practice and liaise with external bodies – such as the Environmental Agency and water companies – to ensure they are aware of the industry’s commitment to reduce the levels of bentazone detected in surface and groundwater sources. To find out more about the initiative click here.
Know the Bentazone Risk – Planning & Mapping Tool
Identification of the high risk areas has taken a big step forward with the campaigns new mapping tool.
Access the planning & mapping tool
This new tool allows users to quickly identify risk in a select area, allowing for better preparation and understanding of when and where to apply bentazone.
Know The Bentazone Risk
Why does it matter?
Sustainability and stewardship are important to Nufarm. As part of a cross industry initiative, we aim to provide guidance on Bentazone stewardship to keep ground water and surface water clean.
Data from the Environment Agency has shown that bentazone (Nufarm’s Benta) is the approved pesticide in UK most frequently found in groundwater and is also increasingly being found in surface water. Due to the link between EU legislation on pesticides and water, it is possible that the EU approval for bentazone will not be renewed, resulting in the loss of all bentazone products across Europe.
For other stewardship advice such as phenoxy herbicides, see our phenoxy stewardship page.
Thankfully it is possible to minimse field sources and avoid farmyard source all together.
Bentazone VI sheet
The Voluntary Initiative has put together guidance on when and where to spray bentazone.
Updated: August 2021
Environmental Agency water protected areas
The Environmental Agency has created a map in which you can check water risk in your area.
Contact our technical team
Dick Dyason – Technical Manager
+44 7766 113373
[email protected]
Voluntary Initiative
The VI website has up to date guidance on stewardship and best practice.
View our Spraywise series.
A comprehensive program covering best spraying practice.
7 part video series.
What must we do?
As we mentioned above, it is possible through best practice both in the farmyard and in field to minimise and avoid pesticide residues. By being aware of the soil type you are spraying on and acting accordingly as per the Voluntary Initiatives guidance. Other factors such as taking care if heavy rainfall is due, avoiding application when drains are heavily flowing, reducing dose rates and leaving application as late as possible (NOT in Autumn/Winter).
When on the farm, having a selection of designated areas and contingencies can counter the risk of spillage and residues when washing. In field there are many measures that can be taken to maximise efficacy of sprays.
Our Spraywise series takes viewers through an extensive guide on water stewardship when spraying and storing crop protection products. The seven part series takes you from stores and management of products safely to filling up sprayers through to washing out in field.
Having a system for decontaminating spillages and wash outs is a great tool for a grower to have. These Biobeds/Biofilters work as a mitigation measure for water in the filling area contaminated with residues. Pumped from the bunded area, the contaminated water is filtered through at least 3 filters made from organic material, usually soil and/or chopped straw.
Using a Biofilter to avoid contamination
Here is John Martin explaining his biofilter system, he also takes the time to explain some top tips to make setting up a biofilter easier:
Any further enquiries don’t hesitate to use our technical helpine: +44 1274 691234
Have a technical question? We’re here to help.
Scotland
Iain Allan
Business Development Manager Scotland
North UK
Mob: 07471 902931
[email protected]
After been an on-farm field walking agronomist for 20 years – this has provided me a breadth of agronomy expertise. This knowledge was developed further when I worked for world’s largest fertilizer company. I was fortunate enough to be given the opportunity to work for Nufarm – which has been so exciting as they are a company with a huge amount of expertise and dedicated customer focus.
North/West
Brent Gibbon
Business Development Manager West
West UK
Mob: 07760 124889
[email protected]
Following an extensive career in Crop Protection, I moved to Nufarm in Spring 2018 because it was very obvious that this company was on a steep upward trajectory.
I am based in the West as Agronomy Manager and I am keen to develop and support Nufarm’s great range of Grassland and Arable products.
East
Dick Dyason
Technical Manager
UK & Ireland
Mob: 07766 113373
[email protected]
I’ve been in agriculture for over 40 years, starting with field trial work as a student. I remain in agriculture because I enjoy helping growers address the ever-changing challenges of the industry.
South
Paul Cartwright
Business Development Manager East
South UK
Mob: 07384 258648
[email protected]
Following earlier trials and R&D roles, I worked for over 10 years providing crop protection technical support to farmers and agronomists alike, before joining Nufarm in 2019.
I continue to enjoy working with growers and advisors in my role as Agronomy Manager. Together with the rest of the Nufarm team, I look forward to meeting the many and varied challenges facing the industry through further development of established products and introducing new solutions for the future.
