Hopper spray won’t harm livestock

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Published: June 3, 2004

Livestock producers who need to spray for grasshoppers this summer have an insecticide option that will allow them to leave their cattle on pasture while the spraying is being done.

Dibrom insecticide was registered last year for control of grasshoppers on rangeland, pasture and dairy paddocks without removing livestock from the area.

Other insecticides require the removal of livestock before spraying and it may be several days before they can return to the treated pasture, said Garth Render, national marketing manager of United Agri-Products, the distributor of Dibrom.

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Being able to leave the livestock in the pasture saves time and labour for producers, said Render, and avoids added stress on the herd.

Seeing the potential

Dibrom was already being used in horticultural production when United Agri-Products saw its potential for grasshopper control on pastures. UAP packaged the insecticide in larger containers and aimed to make the price more practical for livestock producers.

Render said the cost to treat a pasture with Dibrom averages $6-$9 per acre.

Beef and dairy cattle, hogs, sheep and horses can be present during spraying.

Grasshoppers are controlled by contact with the insecticide or through ingestion. Within four to six hours of treatment, the grasshoppers will begin dying off, Render said.

Dibrom is registered for both ground and aerial application. There are two rates registered for young and adult grasshoppers.

UAP recommends repeat applications when grasshoppers move in from adjacent areas or if a new hatch occurs after application.

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Ian Bell

Brandon bureau

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