rainbow & brown newsletter june 2014 being a dung …i told you all that not because i want to...

CALL TOLL-FREE ON (0508) 299 299 Prices include delivery and GST

IN THIS ISSUE:• NEW PRODUCT:

2,4-D Granules for thistle control

• ‘DECISION’Winter Special

• WEED FILES:NEW- Mexican devil- Variegated thistle- Winged thistleUPDATED- Cali thistle- Scotch thistle- Saffron thistle- Nodding thistle

• FULL PRODUCT LIST:Sizes & Prices

Being a Dung Beetleby Paul Martin, Director, Rainbow & Brown

CONFIRMED RUMOURS

Rainbow & Brown Phone Toll-Free (0508) 299 299

JUNE 2014RAINBOW & BROWN NEWSLETTER

This front-page column is normally reserved for important issues like taking the mickey out of pompous politicians, or complaining about loud music, or sticking a pin into that prominent global gasbag Al Gore. Subjects of business significance, in other words.

But sometimes we all need a break from business matters, and what better diversion than an African wildlife documentary? So that’s what we have for you this month.

However, we’re eschewing the usual lions, leopards and elephants. Instead we’re looking at the exciting world of the African Dung Beetle (Scarabaeus zambesianus), a truly astonishing creature.

They live on … well, on crap. They eat it, they use it as a sort of romance-aid, they lay their eggs in it, and their young incubate, hatch, feed and develop into adult form in it.

For the adult female dung beetle, a ball of elephant or rhino dung is a pantry, maternity ward and nursery. But for the male dung beetle that ball of dung is the equivalent of a ’67 Mustang convertible.

Let’s assume you’re a male dung beetle. Here’s how the system works: First find an elephant or rhino. Look down behind it. There’s your target! But there will be lots of competition for the choice bits, so you’ve got to work fast.

You select the most appealing fragment you can find. Roll it into a smallish ball, and take it out for a test drive. Roll it with your hind feet, while facing backwards. You proceed ball-first, in other words.

If all’s well so far, add some more dung. Keep doing that until you have a perfect sphere several times bigger than yourself, and up to about 50 times your own bodyweight. You’re ready for romance!

Now you release a pheromone; something

that smells a little more enticing than sun-warmed elephant dung. This will attract a female dung beetle looking for a good time.

Strap her into the passenger seat, and take her out for a few laps of Main Street; see the sights together. If you’re doing it right, this will lead to an invitation back to her place.

I’m not kidding; the female climbs aboard the ball of dung and clings on, while the bloke continues to roll it (and her) cross-country over some astonishing distances.

He rolls the ball of crap, while she presumably gives him unsolicited driving advice, until they have located a spot suitable for raising a family. There they dig a hole together and roll the dung ball into the bottom. They climb in, mate, and she lays fertilized eggs inside the ball. Then they bury it. Their young incubate, hatch and feed, all inside the dung ball and underground. Then out they come, and off they go to establish their own dung-themed love nest. And there you have it: Days of Our Lives for dung beetles.

I told you all that not because I want to be the next David Attenborough, but because I happened to see that Landcare Research had applied for permission to import 11 species of dung beetle into NZ, with the potential benefits of improving soil structure by distributing farm animal dung and also reducing certain dung-related greenhouse gases.

That was about three years ago, and I thought nothing had come of it. But just today I saw a report that dung beetles had been released at Gore and Wairarapa late last year.

So I’m thinking that an application to release elephants and rhinos into NZ would be the next logical move. Mark my words; there could be big money in this!


2,4-D Granules

DATE OF

MANUFACTURE:

BATCH No:Contains

2kg

Non-volatile 2,4-D soluble

granules for broadleaf weed

control in cereals and pasture.

HARMFUL - Keep out of reach of children

ECOTOXIC

CORROSIVE

Registered pursuant to the ACVM Act 1997, No P8924

See www.foodsafety.govt.nz/acvm/ for registration conditions

Approved pursuant to the HSNO Act 1996, Approval Code HSR100573

See www.epa.govt.nz for approval controls

Registrant: Rainbow & Brown Limited, 68A Tallyho Street, Rotorua

Phone: 0508 299 288 toll-free Email: [email protected]

Web: www.rainbowbrown.co.nz

Active Ingredient:

800g/kg 2,4-D as the dimethylamine salt in the form of a water soluble granule

Concentrated & Convenient2,4-D Granules is a concentrated 800g/kg amine formulation and the granules dissolve quickly and completely in water.The product is available in one pack size: a 10kg carton that actually contains 5 individual 2kg foil bags, making handling and dispensing easy and accurate.Because the normal application rates are in the range of 1kg to 3kg/Ha (depending on target species and growth stage), using multiples of 2kg bags makes it practical to prepare spray tank mixes without weighing or measuring; in most cases it’s just going to be a question of ‘so many full bags per tank’.

Amine not EsterBeing an amine formulation, this new product provides you with three big advantages over the commonly available liquid esters. First, it’s not volatile, meaning that when sprayed it does not form a lighter-than-air vapour that can unexpectedly drift off-site. Second, it does not have the pungent odour that makes handling the ester liquids an unpleasant experience. And third, the use period of made-up spray mixes is longer than the esters.

NEW 2,4-D GranulesThe new Rainbow & Brown 2,4-D Granules product controls broadleaf weeds in new and established pasture, and in cereals.We announced the product as ‘coming soon’ in our last newsletter, and finally it’s here and available. So we’re going over the new product’s features and benefits one more time now, because right now is a very good time to be planning to use it on autumn germinated weed seedlings. Especially thistles.


Minimal Clover DamageThis amine form of 2,4-D provides a better level of clover safety than other kinds of 2,4-D formulations. This makes it a great product for early removal of broadleaf weeds from new pastures.

Granule Efficiency and SafetyBeing a granule, this product is more concentrated (80% active) than liquids, easier and safer to handle, and is more convenient to accurately measure and dispense. It’s also less prone to spills, and much easier to clean up if it does spill.

Packaging and FreightThe packaging is more environmentally friendly, being an outer carton that is readily crushable and degradable, plus the inner foil bags that when empty have only a tiny fraction of the volume and mass of a typical liquid product’s plastic 20L jerry can. The carton & bags packaging is also much less expensive, and because of the high concentration the freight cost is far lower per unit of active ingredient. So less of your purchase price is being ‘wasted’ on packaging and freight. You’re buying active product, not plastic and water.

What’s Controlled?2,4-D Granules controls thistles, ragwort and many other broadleaf weeds. It should be applied when the target weeds are at the seedling and rosette stage. However, it can be also tank mixed with flumetsulam (‘Decision’) and clopyralid (’Cobber’) for control of mature, multi-crown and hard-to-kill weeds in one application.You can see the full list of weeds controlled, with application rates, on the label and directions leaflet available under ‘Downloads’ on our website at www.rainbowbrown.co.nz

Ragwort2,4-D Granules is the ideal product for spraying ragwort in the May to July period, when the plant is at its most susceptible, and when clover damage will be minimized due to less clover leaf being present in pastures.

ThistlesBoom spraying in late autumn and early winter with 2,4-D Granules will control autumn germinating thistles at their most vulnerable seedling stage. Early spring is also effective, as long as the thistles are still seedlings or small rosettes.

Spring Germinating Weeds2,4-D Granules sprayed in spring gives excellent control of those broadleaf weed species that can’t be dealt with by the autumn/winter boom spraying because they germinate too late. That is, dandelion, storksbill, pennyroyal, and many other spring germinating weeds.

10kg Carton (contains 5 x 2kg foil bags)$120 incl GST & delivery


It’s a water-dispersible granule containing 800g/kg flumetsulam. It dissolves readily, and is easy and safe to handle. It’s also highly concentrated, which minimizes packaging and shipping costs (because a little goes a long way), and simplifies handling and storage on the farm. Decision controls many species of weeds in pasture and crops, including several that are not controlled by other commonly used herbicides.Dairy PastureDecision is clover-friendly, which makes it a great product to control buttercups – both annual and perennial types – in dairy pastures throughout the season. And Decision does the job at the lowest-ever cost for clover-friendly control. Buttercups may be sprayed in spring or autumn, and a single annual application of Decision will normally give full-season control.Decision also controls many other weeds in pasture, including several that are not controlled by MCPA, MCPB and 2,4-D. Decision can be tank mixed with those herbicides if required.CropsDecision controls many hard-to-kill weeds in crops of lucerne, chicory, seed clover and maize. It can also be used in tank-mix combination with other herbicides to provide the optimum weed control spectrum into a single application in many cropping situations.

1kg Winter Special … $469.20 (normally $552.00)You Save $82.80 (15%)

Special offer ends 4:30pm on Monday 30th June. No limit per customer while stocks last.

Use Rate WEEDS WINTER SPECIAL

Cost incl GST

30g/Ha Chickweed, Spurrey, Wild Radish, Hedge Mustard $14/Ha50g/Ha Amaranthus (Redroot), Cleavers, Black Nightshade,

Fathen, Shepherd’s Purse, Mallow, Annual Buttercup, Creeping Yellow Cress, Yellow Gromwell

$23/Ha

65g/Ha Larger weeds of above species, Stinking Mayweed, Wireweed, Sorrel, Field Pansy, Henbit, Willow Weed, Giant Buttercup, Oxeye Daisy (suppression)

$28/Ha

Prices include GST and delivery to you. You also get a measuring cylinder, a scoop, and a full directions leaflet. Delivery takes 2-3 days.

Clover-friendly weed control from $14/hectare!Save 15% on 1kg of DECISION – This Month Only.DECISION is a selective herbicide for post-emergent weed control in new and established pasture, as well as in lucerne, chicory, clover and maize crops.


UPDATE OF WEED FILESIn this issue we have published Weed Files on two thistles: Variegated thistle and winged thistle.

We’ve also updated our existing thistle titles: Californian thistle, nodding thistle, saffron thistle and Scotch thistle. You can see these revised versions, as well as over 60 Weed Files in total, on our website at

www.rainbowbrown.co.nz Click on the ‘Weed Files’ tab at the top of any page on the website and you’ll see the full library, listed alphabetically. You can download them as full-colour PDFs for filing on your own computer or for printing.If there are any weeds not covered yet and that you’d like to see included in our reference library, drop us a note at [email protected] and we’ll get right onto it.

WEED FILE:

CALIFORNIAN THISTLE Part 1

Californian Thistle – Cirsium arvense

This Weed File comes in two parts (Part 1 and

Part 2, of course) because there’s a bit more

information than will reasonably fi t on one

page. So please make sure you read both parts

to get the full story.

WHY IS THE CALIE DIFFERENT?

The Californian thistle (also known as the

“Calie” thistle) differs from other thistles in New

Zealand in that it is a perennial. All our other

thistles are annuals or biennials, and they all

have tap roots on the individual plants. But the

Californian thistle instead has a far-creeping

root system that sends up a large number of

aerial shoots, and it is these that we normally

think of as being “a thistle” rather than just part

of the thistle. Thus a clump of Calie thistles

is almost invariably all growing from a single

root system, and is thus effectively a single

plant. This can extend to an entire paddock’s

population of Californian thistles all actually

being one giant plant.

The aerial portion of the plant dies back in the

late autumn or winter with the early frosts, but

the huge root system remains viable and fresh

growth emerges in the spring.

Because of the extensive nature of this root

system, Californian thistles can be diffi cult to

eradicate, and virtually impossible with any

single treatment. The aerial growth that is

“killed” by mowing or spraying is soon replaced

by fresh growth. The implication of this is

discussed in detail in Part 2 of this Weed File.

DESCRIPTION

Californian thistle is an erect perennial that

grows to about 150cm tall and generally in

dense colonies or patches. The stems are erect

and furrowed, and multi-branched towards the

top. The stems do not have spines. The leaves

are fl eshy and lance-shaped, dark green on top

and lighter below, are about 150mm long by

50mm wide, and have small-toothed edges as

well as 5-10mm spines.

The fl owers of the Californian thistle are purple,

mauve or white, egg-shaped and about 20mm

long by 15mm wide. This is smaller than

Scotch and nodding thistles, although of similar

size to the winged thistle.

The fl owers on a single plant (or plant complex)

are either all male or all female, and therefore

pollination is often very poor with little if

any viable seed being produced in a pastoral

situation. Flowering occurs in summer and

autumn.

AN IMPORTANT

CONSIDERATION

At different stages of its growth, the sugars

within the aerial (above ground) portion

of Californian thistles will move in one

direction or the other. At early fl owering

(late spring/early summer) the sugars are

fl owing predominantly up and out, from

the upper leaves into the fl owers. In late

summer, at the end of fl owering, the sugars

begin fl owing actively in the other direction,

down into the root system. This change

of direction of the plant’s “biological fl ow”

can be exploited to maximise the effect of

both chemical and non-chemical control

measures, as will be discussed in Part 2 of

this Weed File.

DISTRIBUTION

The Californian thistle is common throughout

all parts of New Zealand and in many areas

is the major thistle problem, indeed in some

regions it is the major pastoral weed pest of

any kind. It will inhabit pastoral, arable and

waste areas, and is able to grow in almost any

climate. The plant was introduced from Europe.

PASTURE THEFT

Stock (except goats) will avoid grazing close

to Californian thistle because of the sharply

spined leaves. This leads to very poor utilisation

of the closely adjacent pasture. The total effect

of effective pasture loss with Calis has been

reported as 600kg/Ha in a low thistle density

paddock! The Californian thistle is without

doubt the most economically signifi cant of NZ’s

pastoral weed species.

Additionally, sheep grazing pastures containing

Californian thistles can suffer from scabby

mouth, a viral infection of the punctures in the

lips and mouth caused by the thistle spines.

CROPS

Californian thistle is highly competitive in crops,

and can quickly establish in a new crop from

an old root system. The residual herbicides that

are often used in advance to protect new crops

are not necessarily effective against the Cali

because the thistle’s root system lies deeper

in the soil than the effect zone of the residual

herbicide, so that the thistle plant is unscathed

and can produce new growth that is both

unexpected and considerable.

TOLL-FREE CALL0508 299 299

REVISED: JUNE 2014

The library of Rainbow & Brown Weed Files now

covers over 60 common problem weeds. You can read

or download all of these Weed Files at our website.

Click the “Weed Files” tab at the top of any page for the

alphabetical list of titles.

WEED FILE:

CALIFORNIAN THISTLE Part 2Californian Thistle – Cirsium arvenseThis Weed File comes in two parts (Part 1 and Part 2, of course) because there’s a bit more information than will reasonably fi t on one page. So please make sure you read both parts to get the full story.

CONTROL METHODSThere are three recognised methods used to control Californian thistles: Pasture Management, Biological Control, and Chemical Control. None of these is a failsafe solution, but with good timing and understanding of the processes involved, very pleasing results can be obtained.

PASTURE MANAGEMENTA combination of mowing and heavy (sheep) stocking can be used to obtain quite good levels of control over a two year programme. It’s a four-step process, as follows:1. Mow the thistles in mid-December or after weaning when ewes are mobbed.2. Immediately graze ewes over the mown area at about 350 per Ha until mowed thistles are eaten off.3. Return ewes to the area every 3-4 weeks to eat new growth while it’s soft.4. Repeat the process next year (even though thistle numbers will be much lower than year 1).Spraying with MCPA has also been successfully used instead of the hard grazing.Alternatively a decent result can be had simply from constant mowing timed just at fl ower bud stage, but before bud burst. Repeat the mowing each time the thistles reach this stage. Over two years this will also substantially reduce the density of Californian thistles in a paddock due to gradual depletion of the root reserves, and thus provides much better pasture utilisation. There will however continue to be at least some regrowth from any surviving root sections.BIOLOGICAL CONTROLThere are two types of imported beetles being used or trialled in New Zealand, the Californian Leaf Eating Beetle and the Californian Thistle Flea Beetle. These are promising but it may be some years yet before the complete picture is known.

HERBICIDE CONTROLWeed WiperThis is an excellent control method for Californian thistles, for two reasons. First it allows the use of metsulfuron-methyl, a herbicide that the thistle is especially vulnerable to at all stages of its growth, and that is safe, easy and very inexpensive, but which cannot be sprayed because of grass and clover damage. And second because the Cali is such an erect weed that a very useful proportion of its total area is sticking up into the wiping zone, safely above the pasture.• MSF600 applied at 2g/L of water. For faster visible results add Glyphosate at 250ml/L water. Graze to reduce pasture height prior to treatment, so that the wiper can be set as low as possible. Make multiple passes over thick patches. Boom Spraying

Best results with spraying will come from making two applications in each of two successive years, as follows:• 2,4-D Granules at 1-1.5kg/Ha, sprayed at the hard ball stage.• MCPA or MCPB+MCPA applied in early summer to the then smaller plants at 4L/Ha.• MCPA or 2,4-D Granules plus Cobber at 200ml/Ha applied in autumn. This will take out any fresh growth plus any now-large survivors from the early season treatment above, but will cause some clover damage. Cobber is also very effective at killing root systems at this stage of growth.• Cobber used alone in a conservation tillage situation at 1L/ha until early fl owering. Spot Spraying• GrassMate at 6m/L applied anytime to whole plant. Grass friendly, but will suppress clover.

• Cobber at 25ml/10L (knapsack) or 100ml/100L (handgun). Effective anytime against larger plants.Spot Treatment• Buckshot granules applied dry at 2g to the crushed centre of each plant. Best applied to smaller plants, but effective against larger plants as well. An excellent option for killing thistles that have survived or been missed in earlier treatments.

TOLL-FREE CALL0508 299 299REVISED: JUNE 2014

The library of Rainbow & Brown Weed Files now covers over 60 common problem weeds. You can read or download all of these Weed Files at our website. Click the “Weed Files” tab at the top of any page for the alphabetical list of titles.

WEED FILE:

NODDING THISTLETOLL-FREE CALL0508 299 299

Nodding thistle – Carduus nutans

DESCRIPTION

Nodding Thistle is a large, invasive thistle

that can quickly achieve a dense cover that

smothers the pasture beneath. It can reach

about 1.5 metres tall, and usually grows in thick

patches. It has a distinctive purple, drooping

(‘nodding’) fl ower head that’s easy to identify,

but before reaching that stage it might be

confused with Scotch and Plumeless Thistles.

The leaves of a Nodding Thistle are green and

have shiny metallic-looking upper surfaces,

usually with whitish edges. The fl ower stems

have narrow, spiny wings growing to just below

the fl ower head. Rosette leaves are long and

narrow, and deeply cut with spiny edges.

Nodding Thistle can be either biennial or

annual. One plant can produce 10,000 viable

seeds that are easily spread by farm machinery,

stock and birds. Seeds germinate mainly in

autumn, but can germinate outside that period.

Autumn-germinated plants will fl ower and

seed the following summer. Later germinations

remain as rosettes for the fi rst year and

complete their lifecycle by fl owering in their

second summer.

Caution: If you slash Nodding Thistle plants it

will make the pasture appear tidy, but it will also

prevent them from fl owering on schedule, so

they will simply remain present in your pasture

as perennials until they are able to fl ower when

you’re not looking. So eventually you’ll still

have to eradicate them.

PASTURE MANAGEMENT

The best control measure is pasture

management, because a tight pasture sward

will minimise thistle germination and throttle

growth of any thistle seedlings. However,

thistles will usually fi nd some opportunity to

establish themselves, and one plant quickly

becomes a clump, which soon becomes an

infestation.

GRUBBING-OUT

Individual plants and isolated clumps can be

grubbed out successfully before seeding. Take

at least 5cm of the taproot to avoid regrowth.

MOWING

Mowing (topping) mature plants can be a useful

control, but timing is critical. For best results,

mow after fl owering, but before seed has set.

Plants mowed before fl owering will become

hard-to-kill multicrown thistles. Plants mowed

after seed set will of course multiply via the

mass of released seed.

HERBICIDE CONTROL

Large infestations of Nodding Thistle are

best sprayed. The optimum times for

spraying are late autumn/early winter or in

spring, when the plants are seedlings and

more susceptible. If there’s good pasture

cover present, graze it well a week before

spraying to maximise results and minimise

pasture damage.

Boom Spraying

• 2,4-D Granules at 2kg/Ha (seedlings) or

2.5-3kg/Ha (rosettes). Spray before fl ower

stalk develops.

• MCPA at 3L/ha on seedlings, 4L/ha

on small rosettes with crowns to 4cm

diameter. This herbicide will damage

clover if present.

• MCPB+MCPA at 4L/Ha on seedlings to six

leaf. Reasonable control at later stages.

This type of herbicide avoids clover

damage.• Cobber used alone at 1L/ha until early

fl owering. Cobber is also an excellent

addition at 100-200ml/Ha to both

MCPA and 2,4-D Granules where larger,

multicrown or otherwise hard-to-kill

thistles are present.

Spot Spraying

• GrassMate at 6m/L applied anytime

to whole plant. Grass friendly, but will

suppress clover.

• Cobber at 25ml/10L (knapsack) or

100ml/100L (handgun). Effective anytime

against larger plants.

Spot Treatment

• Buckshot granules applied dry at 2g to the

crushed centre of each plant. Best applied

to smaller plants, but effective against

larger plants as well. An excellent option

for killing thistles that have survived or

been missed in earlier treatments.

Weed Wiper• MSF600 applied at 2g/L of water. For

faster visible results add Glyphosate at

250ml/L water. Graze to reduce pasture

height prior to treatment, so that the

wiper can be set as low as possible. Make

multiple passes over thick patches. Where

a weed wiper can be used, this method is

cheap, very effective against even mature

& multicrown thistles, and of course is

totally pasture-friendly.

REVISED: JUNE 2014






WEED FILE:

SCOTCH THISTLETOLL-FREE CALL0508 299 299

Scotch thistle – Cirsium vulgare

DESCRIPTION

Scotch thistle is a biennial weed, meaning that it

normally lives for two years maximum, but doesn’t

fl ower until the second year. It therefore relies

heavily on achieving establishment from seed. The

usual cycle of the Scotch thistle in pasture is to

germinate in late autumn, winter or early spring,

passing its fi rst summer as a rosette form plant,

and then fl owering in its second summer. Once

established as a multi-branched shrub it can grow

to a substantial bush of 1.5 metres in height.

The Scotch thistle has a substantial tap root, as do

most thistles. However the Scotch thistle is also

distinctive among all New Zealand thistles in its

leaves; it has sharp spines both on the leaf margins

and on the surface of the leaves, while other thistles

have spines only on the leaf margins. The foliage is

also a darker green than most other thistle species.

The fl ower head is quite distinctive, reddish purple

in colour, and up to 60mm long by 50mm in

diameter, and usually appears singly, but can be in

2 or 3 fl ower clusters on a stem. On the fl owering

stem, the lower leaves will be on stalks while the

upper leaves are stalkless. The fl owers are smaller

than the nodding and variegated thistles, but larger

than the Californian and winged thistles.

The stems are erect, quite substantial, and are

branched with spiny wings.

The seed heads are a collection of fl orets, with each

seed attached to a pappus known as thistledown,

allowing seed distribution by the wind.

The Scotch thistle is abundantly established

throughout New Zealand. It appears in pastures,

roadsides, waste areas and arable land, and is often

prolifi c after fi re or soil disturbance. It is rarely

eaten by sheep or cattle, but goats will graze it in

the fl owering stage.

PASTURE MANAGEMENT

The best control measure is pasture management,

because a tight pasture sward will minimise thistle

germination and throttle growth of any thistle

seedlings. However, thistles will usually fi nd some

opportunity to establish themselves, and one plant

quickly becomes a clump, which soon becomes an

infestation.

GRUBBING-OUT

Individual plants and isolated clumps can be

grubbed or chipped out successfully before

seeding. Take the entire crown and at least 5cm of

the taproot to avoid regrowth.

HERBICIDE CONTROL

Large infestations are best sprayed. The

optimum times for spraying are late autumn/

early winter or in spring, when the plants are

seedlings and more susceptible. If there’s

good pasture cover present, graze it well a

week before spraying to maximise results and

minimise pasture damage.

Boom Spraying

• 2,4-D Granules at 1-1.5kg/Ha (seedlings) or

1.5-2kg/Ha (rosettes).

• MCPA at 3L/ha on seedlings, 4L/ha on small

rosettes with crowns to 4cm diameter. This

herbicide will damage clover if present.

• MCPB+MCPA at 4L/Ha on seedlings to six

leaf. Reasonable control at later stages. This

type of herbicide avoids clover damage.

• Cobber used alone at 1L/ha until early

fl owering. Cobber is also an excellent

addition at 100-200ml/Ha to both MCPA and

2,4-D Granules where larger, multicrown or

otherwise hard-to-kill thistles are present.

Spot Spraying

• GrassMate at 6m/L applied anytime to whole

plant. Grass friendly, but will suppress clover.

• Cobber at 25ml/10L (knapsack) or

100ml/100L (handgun). Effective anytime

against larger plants.

Spot Treatment

• Buckshot granules applied dry at 2g to the

crushed centre of each plant. Best applied

to smaller plants, but effective against larger

plants as well. An excellent option for killing

thistles that have survived or been missed in

earlier treatments.

Weed Wiper

• MSF600 applied at 2g/L of water. For faster

visible results add Glyphosate at 250ml/L

water. Graze to reduce pasture height prior to

treatment, so that the wiper can be set as low

as possible. Make multiple passes over thick

patches. Where a weed wiper can be used,

this method is cheap, very effective against

even mature & multicrown thistles, and of

course is totally pasture-friendly.

MOWING

In the vegetative rosette stage, Scotch thistles

can tolerate mowing. In the later stage when

erect stems are forming, mowing will remove the

stem before fl owers can form, preventing seed

development. However, the crown will remain and

will need to be removed or sprayed to prevent re-

emergence of fl owering stems.

REVISED: JUNE 2014






WINTER BREAK – MAKE A NOTEWe’re having our usual winter factory & office close-down, so that our staff can take their annual surfing & seafood holiday on sunny Waikiki Beach. We’ll close at 4:00pm on Friday 4th of July and re-open at 8:30am on Monday 28th of July.

If you need any products over July, and especially the new 2,4-D Granules, make sure you order before Friday the 4th.

WEED FILE:

SAFFRON THISTLETOLL-FREE CALL0508 299 299

DESCRIPTIONSaffron thistle : Carthamus lanatusThis is an annual or sometimes biennial thistle, not as widely distributed as some of the more common thistles. It’s an upright thistle, with a typical woody, many-branched stem, and lots of sharp spines.

The fl owers appear singly, atop fl ower stems reaching 50cm in height. They’re bright yellow with some purple veins, and are surrounded by small, leaf-like bracts that turn downwards from the fl ower. The saffron thistle fl owers from Jan–Apr.Leaves are glossy green, alternately placed on the stem, and have sharp spines perpendicular to the leaf edges. They’re 7-8cm long and about 3cm wide at the base. Rosette leaves have multiple spiny teeth.

The seeds are each topped with silk-like hairs. They’re spread by wind and water, and also transported to fresh sites by animals and farm machinery. Where this thistle is present, the seeds will readily contaminate wool.The root system is a typical thistle taproot.The saffron thistle can form very dense stands, impenetrable to stock. Pasture productivity is badly compromised by these thistle stands.

Preferred habitat is any arable area, roadsides and waste areas, and pastures with less than optimum cover. It does well in semi-arid conditions, especially where soil fertility is low.The saffron thistle is distributed occasionally through the eastern parts of the North Island, and the upper and eastern parts of the South Island.

PHYSICAL CONTROLThe best non-chemical defence is to maintain a vigorous and dense pasture cover, and optimum soil fertility. Individual thistles and small infestations can be successfully grubbed out.HERBICIDE CONTROLSpot Treatment• GrassMate at 60ml/10L water is

an effective treatment for crowned plants.• BuckShot dry granules applied

direct to the centre of rosettes, or around the base of crowned plants.

Boom Spraying• Glyphosate 360 at 4L/Ha, or

Granny at 1.8kg/Ha, sprayed onto seedling-infested pasture over late autumn-winter. This is not a pasture-friendly solution, but is effective where pasture damage is not a concern.

• GrassMate at 2L/Ha will control seedlings without grass damage, though it will damage clover if present. Higher rates of GrassMate used for controlling brushweeds in pastures will also control the thistles at all growth stages.

• 2,4-D Granules at 1-1.5kg/Ha (seedlings) or 1.5-2kg/Ha (rosettes). Clover damage is minimised where clover is largely dormant, or has been hard grazed shortly before spraying.


REVISED: JUNE 2014


WEED FILE:

VARIEGATED THISTLETOLL-FREE CALL0508 299 299

DESCRIPTIONVariegated Thistle – Silybum marianumThis is a large annual thistle, with fl ower stalks extending to over 2 metres tall, rising from a massive rosette that can reach 2 metres in diameter. The leaves are large, lance-shaped, shiny and variegated with prominent white veins and blotches. The edges are tipped with sharp yellow 1 cm spines.The fl owers are large and purple, growing singly on tall and bare stems, and are surrounded by large and sharp yellow-tipped spines. Each fl ower can produce 200 brown seeds of 6mm x 3mm carried by a thistle down ‘parachute’ of about 15mm length. The seed is spread by wind, hay, water, mud on vehicles and by animals. Seeds mainly germinate in autumn producing small rosettes by early winter; these grow rapidly over late winter and early spring, reaching a metre in size by mid-spring. Flowering then occurs between November and January. However some plants may remain as rosettes until the next spring. The fl owering plants go to seed, and then die off in late summer. Seed remains viable for nearly 10 years.HABITATPasture land, waste areas, mainly in coastal North Island, occasionally in eastern South Island. Appears in greater numbers after summer droughts and wet winters.In most regions of NZ the species is subject to Pest Plant Management Strategies. TOXICITYThe plant is toxic to stock due to nitrate poisoning and becomes palatable as it dies off, so it’s important to keep stock out of treated paddocks for at least two weeks after treatment.PASTURE MANAGEMENTMaintaining a dense pasture cover without bare patches will prevent the majority of seeds from germinating, and those that do are not tolerant of pasture competition. Avoid overgrazing pasture especially in summer.


PHYSICAL CONTROLIndividual and isolated plants can be chipped or grubbed out. HERBICIDE CONTROLSeedlings are best treated in late autumn to early winter, and rosettes up to early spring while still small. This will allow use of pasture-friendly spot treatment, or of pasture-friendly herbicides for area spraying.Spot Treatment (all growth stages)• BuckShot granules (about half a

teaspoon) applied direct to the crushed centre of the rosette. Use more for mature plants.

• GrassMate at 6ml/L by knapsack or 250ml/100L by handgun.

• MSF600 at 1g/10L by knapsack or 5g/100L by handgun. Very effective but will damage ryegrass and clover. Kills the seed if applied while plants are still fl owering.

Boom Spraying (seedlings/rosettes)Graze before spraying to reduce clover leaf and expose thistle seedlings. Leave for one week to freshen before spraying.• 2,4-D Granules at 1.5-2kg/Ha for

seedlings and 2-3kg/Ha for rosettes to 15cm diameter.

• MCPA 750 at 1.5L/Ha for seedlings and 2L/Ha for rosettes to 15cm diameter.

Boom Spraying (large thistles)2,4-D and MCPA will not control mature thistles when used alone.• Cobber herbicide used at 100-200ml/

Ha in conjunction with either 2,4-D Granules or MCPA 750 as above, will control large and resistant thistles. Expect some pasture damage, especially to clovers. Cobber used alone at 1L/Ha is also effective, but clover damage will be severe.

Weed Wiping• MSF600 at 2-3g/L of water is

inexpensive and very effective against erect thistles where pasture is low enough to permit reasonable thistle contact with the roller/wiper.


WEED FILE:

WINGED THISTLETOLL-FREE CALL0508 299 299

DESCRIPTIONWinged Thistle – Carduus tenuifl orus

The winged thistle is a winter annual, which means it usually germinates in autumn, goes through a rosette stage over winter and produces an erect fl owering stalk in spring. The plant reaches about a metre in height in the fl owering stage. It often forms extensive and dense infestations.

The leaves are spiny and deeply lobed, up to about 30cm long. They are green on top, with some faint white markings, though not nearly as prominently at the variegated thistle.

Flowers are pink-purple, and appear in clusters of up to about half a dozen per stem. The fl ower is individually about 20mm in diameter. Flowering occurs Nov – Dec. The plant dies after fl owering.

The fl ower stems are prominently ‘winged’ with spiny ribs of leaf material running up the stem, hence the common name of winged thistle.

HABITATPasture land especially hill tops and stock camps, arable land, waste areas, roadsides and lucerne crops. Distributed widely throughout both major islands of NZ.

In most regions of NZ the species is subject to Pest Plant Management Strategies.

PASTURE MANAGEMENTMaintaining a dense autumn pasture cover will minimize seedling establishment. Overgrazing in summer can trigger major germinations of this thistle.


PHYSICAL CONTROLIndividual and isolated plants can be chipped or grubbed out.

HERBICIDE CONTROLBest treated as a seedling or small rosette, in late autumn through to early spring.

Spot Treatment (all growth stages)

• BuckShot granules (about half a teaspoon) applied direct to the crushed centre of the rosette. Use more for larger plants.

• GrassMate at 6ml/L by knapsack or 250ml/100L by handgun.

• MSF600 at 1g/10L by knapsack or 5g/100L by handgun. Very effective but will damage ryegrass and clover. Kills the seed if applied while plants are still fl owering.

Boom Spraying (seedlings/rosettes)

Graze before spraying to reduce clover leaf and expose thistle seedlings. Leave for one week to freshen before spraying.

• 2,4-D Granules at 1.5-2kg/Ha for seedlings and 2-3kg/Ha for rosettes before fl ower stalk development.

• MCPA 750 at 1.5L/Ha for seedlings and 2L/Ha for rosettes before fl ower stalk development.

Boom Spraying (large thistles)

2,4-D and MCPA will not control mature thistles when used alone.

• Cobber herbicide used at 100-200ml/Ha in conjunction with either 2,4-D Granules or MCPA 750 as above, will control large and resistant thistles. Expect some pasture damage, especially to clovers. Cobber used alone at 1L/Ha is also effective, but clover damage will be severe.

Weed Wiping

• MSF600 at 2-3g/L of water is inexpensive and very effective against erect thistles where pasture is low enough to permit reasonable thistle contact with the roller/wiper.


WEED FILE:

MEXICAN DEVILTOLL-FREE CALL0508 299 299

DESCRIPTIONMexican Devil – Ageratina adenophoraMexican devil is a perennial. It’s bushy, and forms dense colonies up to 2-3 metres tall that smother native species and prevent their regeneration. It’s a fast growing plant and produces a great many viable seeds, so left uncontrolled this plant can spread rapidly. It originates, as the common name implies, from Mexico.The fl owers are small (5mm or so), creamy-white and appear in dense clusters. It fl owers Aug – Dec.Following fl owering, many small black fi ve-angled seeds appear.The leaves are arranged in opposite pairs and are dark green on top, lighter green underneath. They’re diamond shaped, up to about 8mm long, with irregular, round-toothed edges.Branches are also arranged in opposite pairs, and the leaf stems are woody, hairy and very often tinged with purple. Many plants have visible galls (growths) on the stems caused by a parasitic fl y. The stems can die back over winter.Roots are fi brous.There’s a very similar plant called mist fl ower (Ageratina riparia) that has narrower leaves and slightly smaller though similar fl owers. Mist fl ower can be treated and controlled similarly to Mexican devil.HABITATPrefers riparian areas, especially where damp, forest margins and waste areas. It handles drought as well as damp, and can tolerate moderate shade. Mexican devil is common in the upper half of the North Island. It’s subject

PHYSICAL CONTROLIndividual and isolated plants can be hand pulled, ensuring the full root system is taken, and all material removed from the site and buried or burntHERBICIDE CONTROLMexican devil can be successfully controlled with herbicides anytime that it’s growing actively, so from early spring right through to late autumn depending on local conditions.Weed Wiping• 2g MSF600 per litre of water.• Glyphosate 360 at 1 part

glyphosate to 2 parts water, or Granny at 150g per litre of water.

Cut and SwabCut stems close to the ground and

swab the fresh cut stump with 5g MSF600 per litre of water.

Hand Spraying• 200ml Glyphosate 360 or 90g

Granny per 10L water. Add SuperWetter penetrant at 10ml per 10 litres.

• 5g MSF600 per 10 lites of water. Add SuperWetter penetrant at 10ml per 10 litres.


to Pest Plant Management Strategies (check with your regional authority for details).POISONOUSThis plant is toxic to livestock, and there have been confi rmed incidents involving horses in particular, in both NZ and Australia.


GRANNY 800g/kg GLYPHOSATE AS THE MONOAMMONIUM SALT

ACVM No 7499

Non-selective

herbicide for

spraying out

pasture, and

general weed

control.

• The stronger, smarter and most economical

glyphosate option. 9kg is equal to 20L of G360.

• Water-dispersible granule, easily soluble.

• 4.5kg bag minimizes packaging disposal.

• No residual effect in soil; drill new seed in 2 days.

• Use just 425g/100L water (knapsack 65g/15L) for

general spraying; 1.4-2.2kg/Ha for pasture spray-out.

• Add SprayWetter penetrant for best results.

2.25kg ...$59.80

4.5kg .....$82.80

9kg ......$138.00

GLYPHOSATE 360 360g/L GLYPHOSATE AS THE ISOPROPYLAMINE SALT

ACVM No P5441

Non-selective

herbicide for

spraying out

pasture, and

general weed

control.

• Glyphosate is the world’s most popular and trusted

herbicide.

• Safe to use, fast acting, non-toxic & economical.

• No residual effect in soil; drill new seed in 2 days.

• Withhold stock 2 days to allow penetration through

plant.

• Use 1L/100L (hand) or 3-5L/ha (pasture).

• Add SprayWetter penetrant for best results.

5L...........$66.70

10L.........$92.00

20L.......$155.25

200L...$1380.00

MSF600 Gorse & Brush Spray 600g/kg METSULFURON-METHYL

ACVM No P7027

For control of

gorse and other

scrub weeds in

pasture, waste

areas and forestry.

• The low-cost, proven choice for big and small jobs.

• Water-dispersible granule, easily soluble.

• Safe to handle, non-toxic to humans and animals.

• Gorse, blackberry, manuka, scrub, bracken, ragwort

& thistles.

• For gorse use 20g/100L (hand), 500g/ha (aerial).

• Add SuperWetter penetrant for best results.

200g ......$33.35

500g ......$44.85

1kg ........$79.35

GRASSMATE 300g/L TRICLOPYR AS THE BUTOXYETHYL ESTER plus 100g/L PICLORAM AS THE AMINE SALT in the form of an emulsifiable concentrate

ACVM No P7417

For control of

brushweeds,

broadleaf and

erect weeds in

pasture.

• Kills gorse, broom, blackberry, tutus, sweet briar,

matagouri & lupins.

• Also controls broadleaf weeds, including ragwort,

thistles, fennel, nettle and inkweed at 2L/Ha.

• Add SuperWetter penetrant year-round.

• 10-12L/ha for brush species, and 250-300ml/100L

handgun (gorse rate)

2L...........$98.90

5L.........$197.80

10L.......$356.50

20L.......$598.00

100L...$2875.00

MCPA 750 750g/L MCPA AS THE DIMETHYLAMINE SALT

ACVM No P8173

For control of

thistles and other

broadleaf weeds

in pasture and

cereals.

• Highly concentrated water soluble solution.• Controls thistles of all species, especially in

younger growth stages.• Grass-friendly but higher concentrations damage

clover.• Economical at just 1.5-3.0 L/Ha use rates.• Use late autumn through to summer.• Works well with Cobber herbicide against resistant

thistles.

5L ......... $75.90

10L ..... $132.25

20L ..... $241.50

200L . $2277.00



2,4-D GRANULES 800g/kg 2,4-D dimethylamine salt as WATER SOLUBLE GRANULES

For control of

broadleaf weeds

in pasture and

cereals

• Non-volatile formulation greatly reduces spray drift risk.

• Non-smelly, easy to handle, water soluble granules.

• Convenient 2kg foil bags for easy dispensing.

• Controls thistles and ragwort at seedling and

rosette stages.

* Minimal clover damage, especially with winter spraying.

• Use 1-1.5kg/Ha in cereals, 1-3kg/Ha in pasture,

depending on target species.

10kg carton (5 x 2kg bags)

.............$120.00

COBBER 300g/L CLOPYRALID as the amine salt.

ACVM No P7790

For control of

hard-to-kill and

multi-crown

thistles in pasture.

(Approved Handler

certificate required)

• Kills Californian, nodding, winged and variegated

thistles incl large rosette and multicrown plants.

• Mix with 2,4-D or MCPA where thistles resistant to

those herbicides exist.

• Use 1-2L/Ha by boom or 100-200ml/100L spot

spraying. Also good for wiper application.

2L.........$149.50

5L.........$276.00

10L.......$529.00

20L.......$977.50

GIBBER 900 900g/kg GIBBERELLIC ACID

ACVM No P8002

Growth promoter

to boost pasture

production in

cool weather

feed shortage

conditions.

• High strength powder applied at just 9g/ha

dissolved in water. (9g scoop included).

• Rapid increase of dry matter (DM) production during

spring and autumn feed shortfalls; increases of 30-

60% can be achieved within just 3 weeks.

• Just $5.77/Ha, apply with any spray gear.

45g ........$42.55

270g ....$198.95

BUCKSHOT 20g/kg PICLORAM GRANULES

ACVM No 7717

For direct spot

application dry

granule treatment

of broadleaf, erect

and brush weeds.

• Controls ragwort, nodding thistle, gorse, inkweed,

broom, docks, hemlock, sweet brier, woolly

nightshade, tutsan, blackberry.

• Convenient and safe; apply by hand, by pogo stick

applicator, or by applicator bottle.

• Carry Buckshot on the bike, tractor or ute for

opportunistic spot weed control.

5kg ........$74.75

10kg ....$138.00

20kg ....$224.25

DECISION 800g/kg FLUMETSULAM IN A WATER DISPERSIBLE GRANULE

ACVM No P8368

Control broadleaf

weeds in new

and established

pasture, as well

as for lucerne,

chicory, clover

and maize crops.

• Clover-friendly control of annual & perennial

buttercups in pasture.

• Good for autumn and spring application.

• Also controls chickweed, cleavers, mallow, oxeye,

sorrel, spurrey, stinking mayweed and willow weed.

• 30g-65g/Ha depending on species and growth stage.

Annual buttercups 50g/Ha, giant buttercups 65g/Ha.

200g ....$115.00

500g ....$276.00


June Special

on 1kgSee p4

NEW


RANGER 750g/kg THIFENSULFURON-METHYL GRANULES

ACVM No 7668

For control

of docks and

buttercups in

pasture and cereal

crops.

• Selective herbicide for use in pasture, wheat barley

and oats.

• Also controls oxeye daisy.

• Excellent added to Glyphosate when spraying out

pasture.

• Apply by air or ground boom, and spot spray.

• Scoop and measuring cylinder included.

• Use at 20g/Ha, so 100g pack will treat 5 hectares.

100g ......$74.75

1kg ......$684.25

TRICLO 600g/L TRICLOPYR AS THE BUTOXYETHYL ESTER

ACVM No P7189

For control of

brushweeds,

broadleaf and

erect weeds in

pasture.

• Grass and clover friendly.

• Blackberry, broom, gorse, lupin, tutus, fennel, sweet

brier, Old Man’s Beard, plus most broadleaf weeds

in pasture.

• Apply in warmer months during active growing

conditions.

• Add SuperWetter for gorse and all woody species.

• Brush weeds use 10L/ha or up to 300ml/100L by hand.

• Broadleaf weeds in pasture use 2L/ha or 200ml/100L.

2L...........$95.45

5L.........$195.50

10L.......$345.00

20L.......$569.25

AIRWET LF 100% ORGANOSILICONE WETTER-PENETRANT

Low foam

formulation

optimised for

aerial spraying

• Assists penetration, boosts translocation within the

plant

• Reduces rain risk, normally to under an hour

• Much less foaming than typical competitive wetters,

with no loss of performance

• Available in 20L jerrycans or 20L cartons (4 x 5L), and

1000L IBC tanks

20L..........$414.00

1000L......Call for quote

SUPERWETTER 100% ORGANOSILICONE WETTER-PENETRANT

Boost spray

performance on

woody & hard-to-

kill species

• Assists penetration, especially into stressed and

dusty plants.

• Reduces rain risk period, normally to under an hour.

• Boosts herbicide performance by aiding in

translocation.

• Use at 100ml/100L, or 500ml-2L/ha depending on

species.

2L...........$63.25

5L.........$138.00

20L.......$454.25

SPRAYWETTER 100% NON-IONIC SURFACTANT WETTER-PENETRANT

Maximises

herbicide

performance in all

situations

• Permits faster & more thorough penetration into

plant.

• Reduces rain risk period, normally to under an hour.

• Use when herbicide directions do NOT specify a

SuperWetter.

• Use at 100ml/100L, or 500ml-2L/ha depending on

species.

5L...........$72.45

10L.......$120.75

20L.......$224.25


THE BACK PAGE

PO Box 10049, Mail Centre, Rotorua 3046E-mail: [email protected]: (0508) 299 299Fax: (07) 350 2008www.rainbowbrown.co.nz

• Rainbow & BrownRainbow & Brown Ltd is a privately-owned NZ company. Our factory and office is in Rotorua. We’re now in our 13th year of operation, and have been growing strongly every year. We have customers all over New Zealand, including farmers, horticulturalists, spray contractors, nurseries, commercial and private gardeners, and many other businesses. Our products are sold direct, which is why our prices are so attractive … it is effectively the “wholesale” price, direct from the manufacturer.

• PeopleThe directors of Rainbow & Brown have been involved in the NZ agricultural chemicals business for over 20 years. They’re actively involved in the day-to-day running and building of the business. If you phone us, your most likely contact will be Rachael, our office manager (and the real heart of the company!). If you call in to see us, you’ll also meet Clinton, the factory manager.

• OrderingYou can order anytime by phone, online at rainbowbrown.co.nz, or by fax, e-mail or by letter. If you call on the freephone number, you may at times get an answering machine. That means we’re already on the phone, or doing something else. Or it may be after office hours (see below). Please just leave your name and number, and we’ll soon call you back. Or if we’ve already got all your details, just leave your order (with your name and phone number) on the machine.

• DeliveryWe send your order within 24 hours. Delivery will usually take between 1 and 4 days. If it hasn’t arrived after that time, call us immediately so we can track it down for you. Delivery of orders of 60 litres or less will normally be to your door, including rural delivery addresses. However, delivery of larger orders may be to the nearby freight depot or drop-off point we will arrange with you when you place your order.

• Factory & Office HoursIf you want to collect your order from our Rotorua factory, you’re welcome. It’s at 68A Tallyho Street. Open hours are 8.30 to 4.30, Monday to Friday (9.00 to 4.00 May-July).

• PaymentWe send your invoice by mail, the day we send your order, so you’ll know when it was shipped. Payment is due on 20th following month, and you can send a cheque or use direct payment to a/c No: 123155-0066374-00. The bank account number is also on both your invoice and your statement. We send statements out in the first week of each month.

• Referral RewardsWord-of-mouth is the best advertising, so if you recommend us to someone who then becomes a new Rainbow & Brown customer and mentions your name, we’ll thank you with a $10 discount off each different product in your next order. So if you order four different items, you now get a $40 discount (previously $10).SMALL PRINT: The discount doesn’t apply to products on special.

• WebsiteCheck out our website for full details and labels of all our products, plus Safety Data Sheets, and a small library of useful reference articles. You can also download from the free Weed Files library. It’s at www.rainbowbrown.co.nz

• Approved Handler Certificates (EPA)You do NOT need an Approved Handler certificate to purchase any current Rainbow & Brown product except for Cobber herbicide. To apply MSF600, GrassMate, MCPA, Ranger or Triclo in a “wide dispersive manner” (i.e. by boom spray), or apply it commercially (i.e. you’re a contractor), or over water (i.e. you’re a dickhead), you DO need an Approved Handler certificate to apply it, but you DO NOT need a certificate to buy it. You need an Approved Handler certificate to buy Cobber herbicide or to apply it in any circumstances.

rainbow & brown newsletter june 2014 being a dung …i told you all that not because i want to...

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