Texas A&M Approves New Herbicide Recommendation to Control Pricklypear
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INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service has approved the inclusion of new MezaVue® herbicide in its recommendations to control pricklypear cactus. The addition makes MezaVue eligible for funding in state and federal cost-share programs in Texas.
Corteva Agriscience™, Agriculture Division of DowDuPont, introduced the new herbicide in September 2018, after four years of research trials and large-scale demonstrations. First commercial applications are expected in early 2019.
MezaVue provides early visual signs of activity and a faster, higher level of control than other products used in aerial applications on pricklypear. Prior to MezaVue, the process of showing symptoms of plant death could take three years or more. With three active ingredients, MezaVue causes a distinct yellowing of pear pads within three to four months of application.
“Faster symptoms with MezaVue herbicide deliver a peace-of-mind benefit that the herbicide is working,” said Jillian Schmiedt, Range & Pasture Category Leader for Corteva Agriscience. “Faster control means native grasses are able to respond sooner to get rangeland back into production. The more cactus you control, the more of that area you open to grazing.”
“Pricklypear is associated both with loss of grazing and animal health problems,” said Dr. Charles Hart, a rangeland ecologist and Corteva Agriscience Market Development Specialist.
University researchers have documented that during drought, pricklypear density can increase 25 to 30 percent each year while other plants decline. At that rate, pricklypear density doubles every three years.
“The Texas A&M Herbicide Use Committee acted in a timely manner, and the ranching community very much appreciates that,” Hart said. “Many aerial applications on pricklypear happen in February and March while overstory mesquite is dormant.”
For more information on state and federal cost-share programs, Hart encouraged ranchers to contact their local office of the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service.
Pricklypear is susceptible to MezaVue when the air temperature is above freezing and the plant can be adequately covered with herbicide.
The recommended broadcast rate of MezaVue® herbicide is 32 ounces per acre. The herbicide should be carried in at least 20 gallons total volume for ground application or 5 gallons by air. For individual plant treatments, the recommended herbicide concentration is 1 percent.
Four months after aerial application with MezaVue® herbicide, pricklypear is already yellowing, a sign the herbicide is working.
Without control, the density of pricklypear can increase by 25 percent to 30 percent per year, doubling its canopy in three years.
About Corteva Agriscience™, Agriculture Division of DowDuPont
Corteva Agriscience™, Agriculture Division of DowDuPont (NYSE: DWDP), is intended to become an independent, publicly traded company when the previously announced spinoff is complete by June 2019. The division combines the strengths of DuPont Pioneer, DuPont Crop Protection and Dow AgroSciences. Corteva Agriscience provides growers around the world with the most complete portfolio in the industry — including some of the most recognized brands in agriculture: Pioneer®, Encirca®, the newly launched Brevant™ seeds, as well as award-winning Crop Protection products — while bringing new products to market through our solid pipeline of active chemistry and technologies. More information can be found at www.corteva.com.
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® TM SMTrademarks and service marks of Dow AgroSciences, DuPont or Pioneer, and their affiliated companies or their respective owners. MezaVue is a Restricted Use Pesticide. MezaVue is not registered for sale or use in all states. Contact your state pesticide regulatory agency to determine if a product is registered for sale or use in your state. Always read and follow label directions. ©2019 Dow AgroSciences LLC
Contacts
Kacey Birchmier
Corteva Agriscience™
Agriculture Division of DowDuPont
E.I. DuPont de Nemours
515-535-6149
kacey.birchmier@dupont.com
John Wallace
J. Wallace Communications
817-488-7668
john@jwallacepr.com