The Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) has recently released a rather vital document titled ‘The Pre-harvest Herbicide Use Fact Sheet’, that may have a considerable impact on the sales spectrum of the regional herbicides market. Apparently, the fact sheet compiled by the Australia based research statutory corporation warns grain growers to act with extreme caution when applying herbicides to their winter crops this year, prior to harvesting.
If sources are to be believed, GRDC’s fact sheet provides a list of product registrations for pre-harvest weed control and desiccation, which apparently are distinguished as per the crop category. Furthermore, it is also reported that the fact file stresses on the significance of understanding the MRLs (maximum residue limits) of domestic and foreign markets. The fact sheet release, as per experts, also paves a way for bulk and specialty chemicals market players to restructure their chemical usage guidelines. Manufacturers partaking in herbicides industry formulate herbicide label recommendations and withholding periods for their products, which are expected to be stringently adhered to, by grain growers. Speculatively, GRDC may have published the revised version of the Pre-Harvest Herbicide Use Fact Sheet in a bid to encourage grain growers to carry out late herbicide application to seasonal crops in a responsible manner.
GRDC’s senior manager for crop protection, Dr. Ken Young, was quoted mentioning that herbicide application close to the harvesting time massively increases the percentage of herbicide residues in the crops being harvested. He also stated alongside, that growers need to be perpetually aware of the consequences of late herbicide application to crops with regards to food health safety. According to experts, GRDC’s fact sheet may provide farmers and grain growers with a working knowledge of herbicide application, which may have a peripheral impact on herbicides market demand.
For the uninitiated, periodic surveillance is carried out by marketers and grain handlers on grain receivals to check for residues. The National Residue Survey is also reputed for conducting regular grain testing for residues.