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Broad spray mix with Soberan keeps corn clean
Contracting company Reinders-van Rijswick in Beesel (Limburg) is versatile. In addition to numerous activities for arable crops, they are also broadly active in maize cultivation. For years, they have been tackling weeds in maize using a broad mix of products based on Soberan*. "As a contracting company, we are judged on the result," says Karel van Rijswick. "The maize *must* be clean. With Sovereign "In the mix, we actually always manage that well."
It is early February and finally several degrees above zero again. Two employees of contracting company Reinders-van Rijswick are venturing out to pressure wash some machines. Two others are busy with machine maintenance in the workshop. "We have a quiet time at the moment. That gives us time to review our plans for the upcoming season," says co-owner Karel van Rijswick as he serves coffee. He is also awaiting a new(er) sprayer – a 33-meter self-propelled Agrifac with air assistance and 25-centimeter nozzle spacing – which is set to be delivered today or tomorrow. "With this machine, we achieve a DRT class of 97,5% and are allowed to spray virtually all approved products. Hopefully, that will last us another ten years or so, although you never know for sure these days."
A lot of work for arable farmers
Most of the contracting company's activities – about 60% to 70% – are focused on arable farming. Van Rijswick explains that there are relatively many small to medium-sized arable farms in his service area, often owned by somewhat older entrepreneurs without a successor. For this group, owning their own machines and implements is not always profitable. "For that reason, for example, we have quite a bit of work with potatoes – including two planters and four harvesters. Fortunately, most potatoes are delivered from the field over a longer period, allowing us to spread the harvesting work from the end of July to often the end of November. As a result, we don't easily run into problems with all the other harvesting work," the contractor explains.
In recent years, the contracting company has also been taking on an increasing amount of spraying work, as smaller and/or older growers are no longer willing to invest in a new field sprayer. "In that sense, our field of work is becoming increasingly broader, and contracting is moving more and more towards completely unburdening our customers. More and more farmers are placing their fieldwork in our hands; this not only increases our responsibility but also requires ever-increasing expertise regarding everything related to cultivation and crop protection."
Silage maize cultivation under pressure
As far as maize cultivation is concerned, there is quite a bit of variation in the area. Van Rijswick estimates that just under 50% of his client base opts for a true silage maize variety. "These are almost always dairy farms." Another 30% chooses a dual-purpose variety, and the remaining 20% grows true grain maize. "These are often arable farmers."
According to the contractor, silage maize cultivation is under particular pressure due to the disappearance of dairy farms. "That acreage is shrinking slightly every year." The acreages for dual-purpose and grain maize remain fairly stable for the time being, although he does observe that cereals are being chosen more and more often – partly due to the cover crop requirement. "For us, it doesn't matter that much what growers choose. We have sufficient capacity for both chopping and threshing."
Simple at the base
For weed control in maize, the contractor has been advised for many years by Jos Leenders of Agrifirm, who is also present at the conversation. He explains that due to the wide variation in soil types – from light sand to heavy river clay – there is considerable variation in weeds. In addition, much more maize is traditionally grown on 'livestock plots' than on arable land, where maize is usually part of a broader crop rotation plan. "As a result, we see fingergrass, in particular, advancing further on traditional maize plots, while on arable plots we have to watch out increasingly for jimsonweed."
To effectively control the full range of weeds, a fairly solid, broad-spectrum spray mix is applied. In addition, the product stands Sovereign (1,5 – 2,25 l/ha) at the base. "We have had good experiences with Soberan for many years," says Leenders. "It is safe, never causes crop reactions, and most importantly: it simply works very well." Van Rijswick is also very satisfied with the product's performance. "As contractors, we are judged on the result. The maize *must* be clean. With Soberan in the mix, we almost always manage to achieve that well." Also important is that weed control is completed with a single spraying. "So far, we have managed that quite well. Only very occasionally is a second under-leaf spraying against bindweed necessary. These are often clay fields located directly along the Meuse; so that is truly very localized."
Smooth fingergrass is dominant
To strengthen the Soberan mix, the products Callisto® (or Calaris® where still possible), Frontier® optima, Samson®, and Kart® are added. "With this, we have the optimal mix for at least 85% of the plots," says Van Rijswick.
Leenders adds that the dosage of Soberan is primarily tailored to the presence of fingergrass. "Is this grass a major problem? Then we increase the dose from 1,5 to 2,25 liters per hectare." On autumn-plowed clay fields where large chamomile plants have survived the winter, some Peak® is often added to the mix. And if bindweed is a specific problem, Samsom and Kart are swapped for Monsoon Active, because this product has a slightly longer duration of action against it, Leenders concludes.
There are several brand names for the maize herbicide Laudis. Soberan, like Iternis, is the same product as Laudis.
Calaris®, Callisto® and Peak® are registered trademarks of Syngenta
Frontier® optima is a registered trademark of BASF
Kart® is a registered trademark of Corteva Agriscience
Samson® is a registered trademark of ISK Biosciences Europe NV
