CCC Ltd independent agronomist Peter Cowlrick says with this season’s slug threat growers need to take advantage of good weather to undertake primary cultivations.
He says the pressure is no great surprise following two wet summers. “Even where it has been drier the ground has never fully dried out and they have been present throughout the season. It has been perfect weather egg laying has been going on unabated. In the spring I found considerable slug damage in wheat, especially after rape. This season wheat after winter beans could also be particularly exposed.”
Peter advises growers to take advantage of any dry spell to undertake some primary cultivation. “By disturbing the ground via shallow cultivation not only can kill slugs but it reduces the crop debris for slugs to shelter in and can restrict movement. It’s a good starting point as sequential use of slug pellets is expensive.
