Ironmax Pro takes on slugs and one of our most challenging climates
The Hatfield’s Tasman property has around 2,020 mm of rain annually and, mostly, enjoys a temperate climate. Unfortunately, so do slugs.
It might seem a world away from the Canterbury plains, but, with irrigation, we’re getting closer. Chris and Stacey Hatfield have a 100 ha dairy farm and milk 180 cows in Murchison. Their system is mostly grass, though they have recently introduced some maize.
Chris has a long-term vision for their business and is focussed on setting up a foundation for whatever the next generation of his family wants to achieve. He also believes in an investment and result, rather than just a cost approach.
And, it pays off.
“The more yield and quality you produce, the cheaper the crop becomes. Every mouthful the cows take, you see the benefit in the vat. When you’re spending money, you want to see the best return.” He says that also shows in cow health and welfare.
However, it comes with a challenge. New, high density, high performing pastures give slugs more places to hide and more enticing feed prospects – this within an environment and climate, which is perfect for them.
Taking out adult slugs and the next generation
Chris’ approach, he says, is aggressive. He goes in hard with a 7 kg/ha application of Ironmax Pro to take out not only the adults existing in the pasture but also the next generation. “It catches all the waves of populations. If you go hard from the get go, that way every plant gets a crack. Otherwise, it’s like the equivalent of slugs going from one McDonalds to the next!”
Slug population explosions are common, as the pests can produce 300-500 eggs over their 13 month lifespan.
Chris has also established “buffer zones” around drilled paddocks to avoid the risk of running crops over or compacting soil when reapplying bait. With pets and kids on the farm, he says the safety aspect of low toxicity Ironmax Pro is also important.
Mark Prosser, Technical Field Representative for PGG Wrightson, says, dairying, in general, is scientific and measurable but Chris sets the bar high, with elevated pasture sowing rates to supress weed pressure, and meticulous all-around management.
He echoes Chris’ comments about the density of swards of new grasses and the unintended consequence of the positive environments they create for slugs. But says for the right response – it’s worth it. He says dairy cows, especially need the good grass and it’s important to protect it. “Even a 1% improvement in DM can be massive – and, if they’re not controlled, slugs will always eat the good stuff.”
Mark says, in his experience, Ironmax Pro actually draws slugs away from grass or maize. He says he trusts the product, even after multiple rain falls where other slug baits would break down. “I’ve confidence that it’ll do the job. It’s got endurance in the field and our climate and it’s safe.”
High performance with a strong safety profile
Alex Easton, UPL NZ Regional Manager Upper South Island, says he’s so confident in Ironmax Pro’s performance and safety that he uses it in his home garden, even though there are small children around. He says slug pressure can be high because of surrounding paddocks. “There’s nothing slugs like better than brassicas in nice, straight rows!”
Travelling up to 13 metres in one night, slugs are phenomenal feeders - capable of consuming more than 50% of their own body weight. Unprotected, damage to plants – especially seedlings - can happen surprisingly quickly. Infestations can appear seemingly out of nowhere.
Alex says Ironmax Pro has significant advantages over old-school coated baits. “Coated baits only have a lick of the active on the outside. Ironmax Pro is manufactured with the finest durum wheat using a unique wet manufacturing process ensuring the active ingredient is mixed all the way through. Not a bite is wasted.
“Looking for dead slugs is not the best way to access a bait’s efficacy. Instead check for crop damage. No damage indicates an effective bait programme.”
His colleague, Pieter Van Der Westhuizen, UPL NZ Ltd Regional Manager Upper North Island, says slugs will always ingest a lethal dose of Ironmax Pro, even juveniles. “I had a field representative say to me that they’d seen slugs still in the field after Ironmax Pro had been applied. I suggested a simple test – squeeze the slug. If there’s visible blue residue, it means they’ve eaten the bait and won’t be eating anything else.”
Apart from efficacy, there are other benefits with Ironmax Pro. The optimised pellet size and consistency ensure even distribution and a widespread width. Every pellet has the same size and weight, which equals excellent ballistics. Every load is the same as the one before. This eliminates any fiddling around with the setup of spreaders.
Find more information here: Ironmax Pro
