Preventing leatherjacket damage is not normally at the front of farmers’ minds in September but this year it will pay to think ahead according to SRUC ecologist Professor Davy McCracken.
Normally a timely spray of insecticide in the spring will stop crop damage from leatherjackets which are the grub of the crane fly. SRUC says that will not however be an option in 2017 thanks to an approval withdrawal for the active ingredient chlorpyrifos.
This has been seen as a major blow with the only alternative now being to assess grub levels in grassland in key fields between November and February.
Professor McCracken said: “Farmers will have options once they know the risk present in each field. The impact of any uncontrolled leatherjacket population on a farm will depend on the population density of the grubs, the proposed use of the field and – importantly – at what point the grower realises that a damaging level of grubs is present.”
If a highly infested field is supposed to have a spring crop after grass Prof McCracken advises farmers to consider the practicality and feasibility of carrying out additional cultivations before sowing - or alternatively focus crop growing in a different field with lower levels of grubs.
The annual 2016 SRUC survey of leatherjacket populations shows a “generally average year” however 50% of the fields sampled contained grub populations in excess of 0.6 million per hectare. The level of risk can vary between areas - with a higher risk in Bute, Dumfriesshire,Kirkcudbrightshire, Stirling,Perthshire and Wigtownshire.
A density of over 0.6 m grubs per ha in a grassland field is likely to result in severe damage to any cereals sown in the spring.
MARKET ROUND-UP
Harrison and Hetherington Ltd, Carlisle sold 39 prime cattle yesterday (Mon) with 20 prime heifers selling to 245.5 p per kg to average 210 p (+24.5p on the week). Prime bullocks (22) peaked at 225.5p per kg averaging 198.6p (+4.8p).
Also forward 54 beef bred young bulls topping at 239.9p per kg and averaging 192.6p (- 0.03p). Dairy bred young bulls (60) peaked at 173.5p per kg levelling at 146p (+2.1p).
In the rough ring 247 cast dairy cows sold to 177.5p per kg and averaged 93.4 p (+3.16p). Beef cows (142) peaked at 195.5p per kg to average 130.5p (+ 1.82p).
In the sheep ring 3345 prime lambs sold to £114.8 per head or 254.5p per kg to average 192.4p (+14.7p)
Lowland ewes (174) sold to £94.50 for a Texel and levelled at £69.79 (+£10.24).
Hill ewes (61) sold to £60 for a Swaledale and averaged £38.03 (+62p).
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