PESTICIDE USAGE SURVEY REPORT 188 GRASSLAND & FODDER CROPS IN GREAT BRITAIN 2002 D. G. Garthwaite & M. R. Thomas Pesticide Usage Survey Team Central Science Laboratory Sand Hutton York UK YO41 1LZ Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs & Scottish Executive Environment & Rural Affairs Department
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PESTICIDE USAGE SURVEY REPORT 188
GRASSLAND & FODDER CROPS
IN GREAT BRITAIN
2002
D. G. Garthwaite & M. R. Thomas
Pesticide Usage Survey Team
Central Science Laboratory
Sand Hutton
York UK
YO41 1LZ
Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
& Scottish Executive Environment & Rural Affairs Department
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CONTENTS Page
Summary 1 Introduction 2 Methods 3 Results and Discussion 6 Crops 6 Extent and Quantities of Pesticide Formulations Used 13 Extent and Quantities of Active Substances Used 24 Pesticide Usage on Fodder Crops 27 Pesticide Usage on Grassland 57 Acknowledgements 77 References 77 Appendix 78
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ROUNDING
Due to rounding of figures, the sum of constituent items in the tables may not agree exactly with the totals shown.
DEFINITIONS
a) 'Pesticide' is used throughout this report to include commercial formulations containing active substances used as acaricides, biological control agents, defoliants, desiccants, fungicides, growth regulators, herbicides, insecticides, molluscicides or nematicides. b) 'Treated area' is the gross area treated with a pesticide, including all repeat applications, some of which may have been applied to the land in preparation for drilling and thus may appear as an inappropriate use on that crop. c) 'Reason for application' is the farmer's stated reason for use of that particular pesticide on that crop and may not always seem entirely appropriate. d) Where individual active substances are mentioned in the text, they are listed in descending order of use by hectares treated. e) Throughout all tables, “Other” refers to chemicals grouped together because they were applied to less than 0.1% of the total area treated with pesticides.
f) The term “formulation(s)” used within the text is used here to describe either single active substances or mixtures of active substances contained within an individual product. It does not refer to any of the solvents, pH modifiers or adjuvants also contained within a product that contribute to its efficacy.
QUALITY CONTROL OF DATA All data are collected by personal interview using fully qualified staff working to standard operating procedures. Paper records are held at Sand Hutton but individual holdings cannot be identified. Data are entered onto a computer database which has extensive error checking routines associated with the input program. Each item of data is then checked after entry and subsequently all forms are re-checked by someone other than the original operator. Prior to compilation of the tables, the data are further subjected to a range of computer checks to detect, amongst other things, any values which, on agronomic grounds, appear suspect. Any thus revealed are further scrutinised and, if necessary, referred back to the original source. All the tables are prepared by computer once the data set is considered correct, thus eliminating transcription and typographical errors.
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SUMMARY
Information concerning nine types of grassland and fodder crops and data on pesticide usage were collected from 4,914 examples grown on 1,419 holdings throughout Great Britain. The sample accounted for 9% of the total area of fodder crops grown in Great Britain from autumn 2001 through to harvest in 2002 and 2% of all crops including grassland. The crop group "Other crops for stock feeding" included mixtures of arable silage, wheat, barley, triticale, fodder peas, oats, lupins, field beans, tares, rye, sorghum and vetches. The crop group "Stubble turnips & catch crops" included combinations of turnip, rape, kale, swedes and mustard sown as catch crops in late June, early July or later.
Permanent pasture, including rough grazing, accounted for 87% of the total area of crops grown in the survey, grassland sown during 1998 or later for 11% and all fodder crops 2%. Maize was the major fodder crop grown, comprising 59% of the total area of fodder crops with stubble turnips & catch crops and other crops for stock feeding accounting for a further 15% and 11% respectively. Approximately 36% of the total area of fodder crops was grown in South Western region, 19% in Midlands & Western region, 15% in South Eastern region, 13% in Scotland, 7% in Eastern region, 6% in Wales and 5% in Northern region.
The usage of pesticides more closely reflected the area of fodder crops alone, rather than the area of fodder and grassland crops combined, indicating the minimal use of pesticides on grassland. For example, Scotland, with 45% of the total area of grassland and fodder crops, accounted for only 13% of the total treated area. However South Western region, growing 12% of all grassland and fodder crops, accounted for 28% of the total treated area. Similarly, Midlands & Western region, with 10% of the total area of fodder crops grown, accounted for 18% of the total treated area. The high usage of fungicides in Scotland and South Western region, 27% and 26% respectively, reflects applications to cereals undersown with grass.
Herbicides accounted for 66% of the total pesticide-treated area of grassland and fodder crops grown in Great Britain in 2002, seed treatments 23%, fungicides 6%, insecticides 3%, molluscicides 2%, growth regulators 1% and sulphur as a spray less than one percent. In terms of weight of active substances applied, herbicides accounted for 92%, seed treatments 3%, fungicides 1%, insecticides and molluscicides one percent each, with growth regulators and sulphur accounting for less than one percent each.
The principal ten active substances by both area treated and weight applied were herbicides. In 2002, mecoprop-P replaced mecoprop, which appeared in the principal ten active substances by area treated in 1997. Fluroxypyr, clopyralid, glyphosate and 2,4-DB were the only new active substances added to the principal ten since 1997. Fluroxypyr usage had more than doubled since 1997. Usage of clopyralid and atrazine increased between 1997 and 2002. There was a decrease of 48% in the area treated area with MCPA, the most widely used active substance, with a corresponding decrease of 55% in the weight applied. The total weight of pendimethalin applied had almost doubled since 1997.
There was a 1% decrease in the area of fodder crops grown in 2002 compared with 1997, but a 47% increase compared with 1989. There was a corresponding decrease in the area treated of 6% compared with 1997, but this was almost double that of 1989. The weight of pesticides applied decreased by 11% compared with 1997 and by 21% compared with 1989. A four-fold increase in the area of maize grown compared with 1989 is largely responsible for the greater area of fodder crops and the increase in pesticide treated area. With the exception of stubble turnips & other catch crops, the area of which changed only slightly over the last thirteen years, maize and other crops for stockfeeding were the only two crops to increase in area grown, with the area of all other crops declining.
There was a 2% increase in the area of grassland grown in Great Britain in 2002 compared with 1997 but a 4% decrease compared with 1989. Although the area treated almost doubled between the period 1989 and 1993, mainly due to a change in the collection of undersown cereal data, there was a 39% decrease in the area treated between 1997 and 2002. Much of this decline was due to a reduction between 1997 and 2002 in the herbicide and insecticide treated area, mainly those applied to newly sown grass leys.
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INTRODUCTION
The independent Advisory Committee on Pesticides advises government on all aspects of pesticide use. In order to discharge this function the Committee must regularly monitor the usage of all pesticides. It needs accurate data on the usage of individual pesticides.
As part of the ongoing process for obtaining data, the Pesticide Usage Survey Teams of the Central Science Laboratory, an executive agency of the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs and the Scottish Agricultural Science Agency, an agency of the Scottish Executive Environment and Rural Affairs Department conducted a survey of pesticide usage on fodder & forage crops in the growing season from autumn 2001 through to autumn 2002, by visiting holdings throughout Great Britain during the winter of 2002/2003.
This was the fifth survey of pesticide usage solely on grassland and fodder crops carried out by the Pesticide Usage Survey Team. Previous surveys have been reported for 1997, (Garthwaite et al., 1999), 1993 (Thomas & Garthwaite, 1994), 1989 (Davis et al., 1991) and 1979 (Hicks & Sly, 1982). Data on grassland and fodder crops have been included in previous arable crops reports for 1982 (Sly, 1986) and 1974 (Chapman, Sly & Cutler, 1977). A survey of pesticide usage on grassland and fodder crops in Scotland during 1989 was reported by Bowen, Shave & Thomas (1991) while surveys of grassland in Scotland were conducted in 1984 (Bowen, 1988) and 1978 (Cutler, 1981).
All surveys of pesticide usage in agriculture and horticulture are now fully co-ordinated by the two survey teams and present reports of pesticide usage throughout Great Britain. Information on all aspects of pesticide usage in Great Britain plus the regions of England & Wales can be obtained from the Pesticide Usage Survey Team at the Central Science Laboratory, Sand Hutton. Further data related specifically to Scotland can be obtained from the Pesticide Usage Survey Team at the Scottish Agricultural Science Agency, Edinburgh.
A list of the most recently published reports is included in the Appendix.
REPORT FORMAT
In order to improve the presentation of data within this report summary charts and tables for each crop have been incorporated. These take three forms:
1. A summary of the number of all pesticide spray applications, products and active substances currently used and how these have changed over the last 10 years.
2. Charts are presented which outline the percentage of monthly applications made for each of the main pesticide groups, in particular insecticides, fungicides, herbicides and growth regulators. Within a pesticide group each individual monthly figure is expressed as a proportion of the total annual application of that pesticide group. The chart histograms express the monthly proportion of usage within a year and within each pesticide group to remove bias where one pesticide group dominates usage on a particular crop/crop group. The start and end dates of each chart reflect the growing period for each crop/crop group encountered in the survey.
3. For each major pesticide group, detailed data are presented on the five principal active substances used on an individual crop. These data include the area treated with each formulation in 2002, the weight applied in 2002, the proportion of the total area treated within each pesticide group, the proportion of the census area grown treated with each formulation, the number of applications of each formulation made to an individual crop where treated with that formulation and the proportion of its full label rate used on that crop.
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METHODS
The samples of holdings to be surveyed were selected using data from the Agricultural Census Returns, June 2001 for England & Wales (Anon., 2002a) and for Scotland (Anon., 2002b).
The samples were drawn from the census returns so as to represent the area of all fodder crops grown throughout England, Scotland and Wales. For England & Wales, the sample was selected within each of the six former Defra regions (Fig. 1) and for Scotland the country was divided into 11 land-use regions (Wood, 1931). The samples were stratified according to the total area of all fodder crops grown in each region and by farm size group, based on the total area of all fodder crops on each farm. The area of fodder crops sampled in each size group and each region was proportional to the total area of all fodder crops grown on holdings of each size group in each region.
For the purposes of this survey, the total area of fodder crops was taken as the sum of the areas of the following crops: maize; turnips & swedes; fodder beet & mangolds; and kale, cabbage & rape.
An introductory letter was sent to the occupiers of the selected holdings explaining the purpose of the survey. A total of 683 holdings were visited during the winter of 2002/2003 and data collected during a personal interview with the farmer conducted by an experienced pesticide usage surveyor. Where a holding listed in the original sample was not able to provide data, it was replaced with another from the same size group and region, held on a reserve list.
A supplementary sample of grassland farms was taken to ensure sufficient representation of grassland, as the visit sample was selected on the area of fodder crops grown. A further 737 farms, from an initial mailing of 2,000, participated in the postal survey. The samples were stratified according to the total area of all grassland, excluding rough grazing, grown in each region and by farm size group based on the total area of grassland on each farm. The area of grassland sampled in each size group and region was proportional to the total area of grassland, excluding rough grazing, grown on holdings of each size group in each region. For the purposes of this survey, grassland crops included those sown in 1998 or later and permanent pasture.
Raising factors
The pesticide usage data collected from each holding were raised by two factors to give an estimate of regional usage; the first factor being dependent on farm size group and region and the second dependent on crop area and region. The data were further adjusted by a third factor to give estimates of total pesticide usage related to the national cropping areas in Great Britain (Thomas, 2001).
The raising factors were based on the areas of all fodder crops grown in 2002 as recorded in the June Agricultural Census Returns both for England & Wales (Anon., 2003a) and Scotland (Anon., 2003b).
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Fig. 1 Counties in Defra regions of England & Wales and regions covered by SEERAD Scotland
ScotlandBordersCentral
Dumfries & GallowayFife
GrampianHighlands & Islands
LothianStrathclyde
Tayside
Durham
Tyne & Wear
NorthumberlandNorth Yorkshire
Cleveland
NorthernCumbria
Humberside
South Yorkshire
West Yorkshire
EasternBedfordshire
CambridgeshireEssex
HertfordshireGreater London (E)
LincolnshireNorfolk
NorthamptonshireSuffolk
South EasternBerkshire
BuckinghamshireEast Sussex
Greater London (SE)Hampshire
KentOxfordshire
SurreyWest Sussex
South WesternAvon
CornwallDevonDorset
GloucestershireSomersetWiltshire
Gwent
WalesClwydDyfed
GwyneddMid Glamorgan
PowysSouth GlamorganWest Glamorgan
Nottinghamshire
Midlands & WesternCheshire
DerbyshireGreater Manchester
Hereford & WorcesterLancashire
LeicestershireMerseyside
ShropshireStaffordshireWarwickshire
West Midlands
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Visit Questionnaire
The questionnaire for the main part of the visit survey consisted of two forms, which were completed by an experienced pesticide usage surveyor during an interview with the farmer.
Form 1 summarised the areas of grassland and fodder crops grown on the designated holding during the 2001/2002 season.
Form 2 recorded all aspects of pesticide usage on individual crops grown on each holding and harvested in 2002, a separate form being used for each field. This included chemicals applied prior to drilling and those used to maintain barren strips around field boundaries. As these are subsequently associated with that crop they may appear as inappropriate uses. Agronomic details which may have influenced pesticide usage (including the source of seed and type of treatment, method of drilling, use of adjuvants and the volume of spray applied) were also recorded on form 2.
Postal Questionnaire
A single questionnaire was sent to all holdings included in the postal grassland samples. This form asked each farmer to summarise the areas and the different types of grassland grown on their holding during the 2001/2002 season. It went on to ask for all information relating to any pesticide applications made to each type of grassland, including pesticide name, number of applications and the area treated. Additional information dealing with seed treatments was collected from holdings with direct or undersown grassland.
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RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
CROPS
Information concerning nine types of grassland and fodder crops and data on pesticide usage were collected from 4,914 examples grown on 1,419 holdings throughout Great Britain. The sample accounted for 9% of the total area of fodder crops grown in Great Britain during the 2001/2002 season and 2% of all crops including grassland. The crop group "Other crops for stock feeding" included mixtures of arable silage, wheat, barley, triticale, fodder peas, oats, lupins, field beans, tares, rye, sorghum and vetches. The crop group "Stubble turnips & catch crops" included combinations of turnip, rape, kale, swedes and mustard sown as catch crops in late June, early July or later. This latter item is not recorded on the June Census so the total area grown was estimated using the first raising factor.
The areas of each of the grassland and fodder crops grown in Scotland and the six old Defra regions of England & Wales are shown in Table 1. Permanent pasture, including rough grazing, accounted for 87% of the total area of crops grown in the survey, grassland sown during 1998 or later for 11% and all fodder crops 2%. Maize was the major fodder crop grown, comprising 59% of the total area of fodder crops, with stubble turnips & catch crops and other crops for stock feeding accounting for a further 15% and 11% respectively. Approximately 36% of the total area of fodder crops was grown in South Western region, 19% in Midlands & Western region, 15% in South Eastern region, 13% in Scotland, 7% in Eastern region, 6% in Wales and 5% in Northern region.
The distribution of most of the crops was varied. Maize was grown mainly in southern counties with 40% in South Western region, 24% in Midlands & Western region and 17% in South Eastern region. Approximately 60% of turnips & swedes were grown in Scotland, with a further 11% being grown in South Western region and 10% in Wales. The area of kale, cabbage & rape grown in Scotland was 53% of the total, with a further 15% being grown in South Western region. Most, 53%, of stubble turnips & other catch crops were recorded from the South Western region, with a further 27% being grown in South Eastern region.
Table 1 Area of fodder crops & grassland grown in Great Britain 2002 (hectares) Crop group Northern Midlands Eastern South South Wales Scotland Great & Western Eastern Western Britain Maize 3,729 29,605 9,611 20,164 48,224 8,356 1,307 120,996 Turnips & swedes 1,371 770 278 366 1,586 1,560 9,073 15,003 Fodder beet & mangolds 1,386 1,753 905 176 981 325 402 5,928 Kale, cabbage and rape 963 520 521 300 1,458 781 5,178 9,721 Other crops for stock feeding 2,358 4,134 1,205 1,424 4,629 665 7,921 22,336 Stubble turnips & catch crops 150 1,373 1,218 8,256 16,233 . 3,380 30,610 Grassland less than 5 years old 127,496 178,790 45,726 76,021 215,641 128,416 321,609 1,093,699 Permanent pasture 737,967 747,607 240,756 321,271 811,982 925,390 929,821 4,714,794 Rough grazing 425,527 107,844 35,148 33,084 98,314 226,745 3,359,707 4,286,369 All fodder crops & grassland 1,300,947 1,072,396 335,368 461,062 1,199,048 1,292,238 4,638,398 10,299,456
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OVERALL USAGE OF PESTICIDES
Regional pesticide usage
Regional pesticide usage was somewhat distorted compared to the area of cropping (Table 1). The usage of pesticides more closely reflected the area of fodder crops alone rather than the area of fodder and grassland crops combined, indicating the minimal use of pesticides on grassland. For example Scotland, with 45% of the total area of grassland and fodder crops accounted for only 13% of the total treated area. However, South Western region, growing 12% of all grassland and fodder crops, accounted for 28% of the total treated area. Similarly, Midlands & Western region, with 10% of the total area of fodder crops grown, accounted for 18% of the total treated area. The high usage of fungicides in Scotland and South Western region, 27% and 26% respectively, reflects the large area of grassland undersown to cereals grown in both areas.
Pesticide usage on crops
The extent of pesticide usage varied with each crop group (Table 2). Of the fodder crops, maize accounted for 68% of all treatments, other crops for stock feeding 10%, fodder beet & mangolds 7% and stubble turnips & catch crops 7%. Although the area of fodder beet & mangolds grown was only 3% of the total area of fodder crops, the use of repeat low dose applications of herbicides explains the relatively high pesticide use in this crop group.
Almost half, 45%, of all treatments to grassland were made to permanent pasture. By contrast rough grazing, 42% of the grassland area, accounted for only 8% of grassland treatments. Treatments to direct or undersown grassland accounted for 36% of the treated grassland area, 99% of fungicide and molluscicide usage and all growth regulator usage.
Table 2 Treated area of fodder crops & grassland in Great Britain 2002 by crop group (spray hectares) Maize Turnips & Fodder beet Kale, cabbage, Other crops Stubble turnips New ley New ley Grassland 2-5 Permanent Rough All swedes & mangolds rape etc. for stock feeding & catch crops direct sown undersown years old pasture grazing crops Fungicides . 398 1,225 . 16,909 . . 52,682 670 . . 71,884 Growth regulators . . . . 6,786 . . 1,563 . . . 8,348 Herbicides 248,742 14,928 30,443 7,172 23,439 13,644 57,695 55,742 61,892 282,056 51,835 847,588 Insecticides 3,358 3,497 4,476 3,035 4,067 5,651 5,176 . 1,453 1,780 . 32,492 Sulphur . 62 74 . 162 . . 165 . . . 462 Molluscicides & repellents 5,759 65 408 738 1,427 6,396 8,204 . 76 . . 23,074 All seed treatments 188,338 17,975 8,644 5,858 14,656 18,522 36,130 11,635 . . . 301,757 All pesticides 446,196 36,924 45,270 16,803 67,445 44,213 107,185 121,786 64,309 283,836 51,835 1,285,605
Table 2a Usage of pesticides on fodder crops & grassland in Great Britain 2002 by crop group (kg of active substance applied) Maize Turnips & Fodder beet Kale, cabbage, Other crops Stubble turnips New ley New ley Grassland 2-5 Permanent Rough All swedes & mangolds rape etc. for stock feeding & catch crops direct sown undersown years old pasture grazing crops Fungicides . 349 212 . 3,275 . . 9,121 58 . . 13,015 Growth regulators . . . . 4,454 . . 824 . . . 5,278 Herbicides 208,849 18,620 14,054 8,898 19,615 4,192 75,587 56,242 59,578 291,869 77,162 834,665 Insecticides 2,942 1,053 1,611 143 292 62 3,404 . 1,046 1,279 . 11,832 Sulphur . 493 296 . 388 . . 117 . . . 1,294 Molluscicides & repellents 2,511 39 132 442 636 2,952 4,492 . 22 . . 11,226 All seed treatments 19,326 99 5,659 49 1,136 19 199 44 . . . 26,531 All pesticides 233,628 20,653 21,963 9,533 29,796 7,224 83,665 66,348 60,704 293,148 77,162 903,841
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Proportion of crops treated
The percentage areas of each crop treated with the different pesticide groups are shown in Table 3, whilst the mean number of spray rounds, mean number of products and mean number of active substances applied are shown in Tables 4a, b and c.
Usage of pesticides on fodder crops was limited in most cases to a seed treatment and a single herbicide application, the exceptions being repeat low dose applications of herbicides to fodder beet & mangolds and two applications of herbicides to maize. Almost all maize and at least 82% of fodder beet & mangolds received foliar pesticide applications. Treatments to grassland crops were negligible, with most applications being made to crops less than five years old. Ninety-nine percent of rough grazing, 95% of permanent pasture and 86% of grass 2-5 years old remained untreated.
From Table 3 it can be seen that herbicides were used on over 96% of maize, 83% of fodder beet & mangolds and on 72% of turnip & swede crops. Over 44% of kale, cabbage & rape, other crops for stock feeding and stubble turnips and catch crops received a herbicide application. In many cases, herbicides were either applied prior to drilling or pre-emergence of the drilled fodder brassica crop. Eleven percent of new grass leys received a herbicide application, but only 5% of the total area of permanent pasture and one percent of rough grazing was treated. Almost all of the maize area was treated on average twice with a herbicide, using two products and two active substances. Fodder beet was typically treated with three herbicides, using six products and seven active substances. All other fodder crops received not more than one treatment with, on average, not more than two products and three active substances. Grassland crops received on average one product containing two active substances.
Fungicides were used on 30% of other crops for stock feeding, mainly arable silage, on average two products and three active substances being used. Less than 20% of the various other fodder crops received fungicide applications. Usage on grassland was confined mainly to new leys both direct sown and undersown, where on average 2% of the area was fungicide treated.
Insecticides were used to a significant extent on fodder beet & mangolds 44%, kale, cabbage & rape 21%, turnips & swedes 21%, stubble turnips & catch crops 17% and other crops for stock feeding 14%. Less than 2% of the area of all other crops, including newly sown leys, received any insecticide applications.
Over 32% of most fodder crops received a seed treatment. Nineteen percent of the grassland sown during 2001/2002 also received a seed treatment.
Table 3 Usage of pesticides on fodder crops & grassland in Great Britain 2002 - percentage area of crops treated with pesticides Insecticides Fungicides Sulphur Herbicides Growth Molluscicides Seed Not regulators & repellents treatments treated1
Table 4a Usage of pesticides on fodder and forage crops in Great Britain 2002 - number of spray rounds3 applied to treated crops (excluding seed treatments) Insecticides Fungicides Sulphur Herbicides Growth Molluscicides All regulators & repellents Pesticides Maize < 0.1 . . 1.6 . 0.1 1.7Turnips & Swedes 0.3 < 0.1 < 0.1 1.2 . < 0.1 1.6Fodder beet & mangolds 0.7 0.2 < 0.1 3.1 . 0.1 3.8Kale, cabbage and rape 0.8 . . 1.2 . 0.1 1.9Other crops for stock feeding 0.4 1.2 < 0.1 1.4 0.5 0.1 2.5Stubble turnips & catch crops 0.4 . . 0.9 . 0.1 1.3Grassland less than 5 years old2 0.1 0.1 < 0.1 1.1 < 0.1 0.1 1.3Permanent pasture < 0.1 . . 1.3 . . 1.3Rough grazing . . . 1.2 . . 1.2 All crops 0.1 0.2 < 0.1 1.4 < 0.1 < 0.1 1.6
1 excludes seed treatments 2 details on applications made to newly sown crops can be found on page 57
3 indicates number of passes of application machinery as some herbicides may be applied using weed wipers and some insecticides/molluscicides as granules or pellets
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Table 4b Usage of pesticides on fodder and forage crops in Great Britain 2002 - number of products (other than seed treatments) applied to treated crops Insecticides Fungicides Sulphur Herbicides Growth Molluscicides All regulators & repellents pesticides Maize < 0.1 . . 2.3 . 0.1 2.4Turnips & swedes 0.3 < 0.1 < 0.1 1.2 . < 0.1 1.6Fodder beet & mangolds 0.7 0.2 0.2 6.0 . 0.1 7.0Kale, cabbage and rape 0.8 . . 1.2 . 0.1 2.0Other crops for stock feeding 0.4 1.8 1.8 2.1 0.6 0.1 5.0Stubble turnips & catch crops 0.4 . . 0.9 . 0.1 1.3Grassland less than 5 years old 0.1 0.2 0.2 1.3 < 0.1 0.1 1.6Permanent pasture < 0.1 . . 1.4 . . 1.4Rough grazing . . . 1.3 . . 1.3 All crops 0.1 0.2 0.2 1.8 0.1 0.1 2.2
Table 4c Usage of pesticides on fodder and forage crops in Great Britain 2002 - number of active ingredients (other than seed treatments) applied to treated crops Insecticides Fungicides Sulphur Herbicides Growth Molluscicides All regulators & repellents Pesticides Maize < 0.1 . . 2.4 . 0.1 2.5Turnips & swedes 0.3 < 0.1 < 0.1 1.2 . < 0.1 1.6Fodder beet & mangolds 0.7 0.4 < 0.1 7.2 . 0.1 8.4Kale, cabbage and rape 0.8 . . 1.2 . 0.1 2.0Other crops for stock feeding 0.4 2.8 < 0.1 3.1 0.7 0.1 7.2Stubble turnips & catch crops 0.4 . . 0.9 . 0.1 1.4Grassland less than 5 years old 0.1 0.3 < 0.1 2.3 < 0.1 0.1 2.7Permanent pasture < 0.1 . . 2.3 . . 2.3Rough grazing . . . 1.8 . . 1.8 All crops 0.1 0.3 < 0.1 2.4 0.1 0.1 3.0
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EXTENT AND QUANTITIES OF PESTICIDE FORMULATIONS USED (comparisons with previous surveys can be found on page 32)
The estimated total areas of each crop treated in Great Britain with each pesticide formulation are illustrated in Table 5, whilst the estimated total quantities of pesticide active substances used in each formulation are shown in Table 6.
From Tables 2 and 5 it can be seen that herbicides accounted for 66% of the total pesticide-treated area of grassland and fodder crops grown in Great Britain in 2002, seed treatments 23%, fungicides 6%, insecticides 3%, molluscicides 2%, growth regulators 1% and sulphur less than one percent. From Table 6 it can be seen that, in terms of weight of active substances applied, herbicides accounted for 92%, seed treatments 3%, fungicides 1%, insecticides 1% and molluscicides 1%, with growth regulators and sulphur less than one percent each.
The most extensively-used herbicide formulations, totalling 60% of the usage, were atrazine 15%, MCPA 14%, glyphosate 7%, bromoxynil 7%, mecoprop-P 6%, clopyralid/fluroxypyr/triclopyr 6% and fluroxypyr/triclopyr 5%. By weight applied, usage was similar, with MCPA being the most extensively used formulation, accounting for 20% of all herbicide use, atrazine 16%, glyphosate 8%, mecoprop-P 8%, benazolin/2,4-DB/MCPA 8%, dicamba/MCPA/mecoprop-P 5% and 2,4-D 5%.
Methiocarb, used extensively on maize, was the most extensively-used seed treatment active substance, accounting for 25% of the area of all crops sown with treated seed, with thiram accounting for 20%, fludioxonil/metalaxyl-M 4% and iprodione 3%. In terms of weight of active substances applied, the two principal formulations remained the same with methiocarb comprising 63% and thiram 30%.
The pyrethroids were the most extensively-used insecticides, accounting for 48% of the insecticide treated area, followed by the organophosphates, which accounted for 35%, the organochlorine gamma-HCH 9% and carbamates 4%. Three insecticides accounted for approximately 66% of the total insecticide-treated area of all grassland and fodder crops: chlorpyrifos 34%, cypermethrin 17% and deltamethrin 15%. By contrast, chlorpyrifos accounted for 63% of the weight of insecticides applied and gamma-HCH 27%.
Azoxystrobin was the most extensively-used foliar-applied fungicide formulation, comprising 13% of the total area treated, with epoxiconazole being used on a further 12% of the area, fenpropimorph/flusilazole on 9%, fenpropimorph on 8% and epoxiconazole/fenpropimorph on 6%. In terms of weight applied, cyprodinil was the most extensively-used fungicide formulation, accounting for 11% of the weight of all foliar-applied fungicide active substances, fenpropimorph/flusilazole accounted for 10%, fenpropimorph for 10% and azoxystrobin for 8%.
Of the molluscicides recorded, metaldehyde, methiocarb and thiodicarb accounted for 87%, 7% and 3% of the treated area respectively.
Chlormequat accounted for 39% of the total area treated with growth regulators, trinexapac-ethyl 26% and chlormequat/imazaquin 11%.
Table 5 Usage of pesticides on fodder crops & grassland grown in Great Britain, 2002 (spray hectares)
2Other fungicide/insecticide seed treatments includes bitertanol/fuberidazole/imidacloprid, captan/gamma-HCH, fuberidazole/imidacloprid/triadimenol & gamma-HCH/thiram
3Other insecticide seed treatments includes bendiocarb & imidacloprid
23
24
EXTENT AND QUANTITIES OF ACTIVE SUBSTANCES USED
The 50 most extensively-used pesticide active substances on all grassland and fodder crops in Great Britain in 2002 are listed in descending order of area treated in Table 7. A similar list showing the 50 most-used active substances in descending order of amount applied is presented in Table 8. The rating of active substances varies in each list depending upon their extent of usage, rate of application, relative activity per unit weight and their relative proportions in formulated products, especially for those products which contain more than one active substance.
The principal ten active substances by both area treated and weight applied were all herbicides. In 2002, mecoprop-P replaced mecoprop, which appeared in the principal ten active substances by area treated in 1997. Fluroxypyr, clopyralid, glyphosate and 2,4-DB were the only new active substances added to the principal ten since 1997. Fluroxypyr usage had more than doubled since 1997. Usage of clopyralid and atrazine increased between 1997 and 2002. There was a decrease of 48% in the area treated area with MCPA, the most widely used active substance, with a corresponding decrease of 55% in the weight applied. The total weight of pendimethalin applied had almost doubled since 1997.
The most extensively-used herbicide active substances were MCPA, first by weight and by area treated and used almost exclusively on grassland, predominantly established grassland; atrazine, second in popularity by area treated and used for broad-spectrum weed control in maize, had increased in usage by 14% since 1997, reflecting the increase in the area of maize grown over the same period; triclopyr third by area treated and seventh by weight applied, again used almost exclusively on established grassland; fluroxypyr, fourth by area treated, eleventh by weight applied and used mainly in established grassland and maize. Asulam and pendimethalin were not included in the first 10 by area treated, but appeared in the principal 10 by weight. Usage of propaquizafop, number 36 in terms of area treated, had increased by almost 8 times since 1997, primarily used on stubble turnips and other catch crops.
Methiocarb was the most extensively-used seed treatment in terms of both area treated and weight applied, its usage being confined almost entirely to maize and fodder beet & mangolds. The use of thiram, the second most extensively-used seed treatment active substance, again both in terms of area treated and weight applied, was encountered on all sown crops with maize and turnips & swedes accounting for the largest treated areas. In terms of area treated fludioxinol, metalaxyl-M and iprodione were the next most important seed treatment active substances. The use of fludioxinol and metalaxyl-M was confined to maize, while that of iprodione was confined to fodder brassicas.
The four most extensively-used foliar fungicides were fenpropimorph, used almost exclusively on arable silage and grass less than five years old, epoxiconazole again used mainly on arable silage and grass less than five years and azoxystrobin used exclusively on arable silage and under sown new leys. The area treated with fenpropimorph had almost doubled since 1997, whilst that of epoxiconazole increased by over eighteen times over the same period. Azoxystrobin, cyprodinil and trifloxystrobin are relatively new active substances only introduced since the last survey in 1997.
The most extensively-used insecticide was chlorpyrifos, twenty-first by area treated, sixteenth by weight applied, used mainly to control leatherjackets and frit fly in new leys and maize sown after grass. After chlorpyrifos, the next most extensively used foliar applied insecticide was cypermethrin, to control aphids and flea beetle in stubble turnips & catch crops, turnips & swedes and kale, cabbage & rape and aphids in other crops for stock feeding. Deltamethrin usage was similar to that of cypermethrin in terms of the area treated, however most usage was on stubble turnips & catch crops for the control of flea beetle. Usage of other insecticides was minimal and included lambda-cyhalothrin and gamma-HCH, occurring forty-fifth and forty-sixth in terms of area treated.
A single molluscicide was found in the first 50 both by area treated and weight applied. Metaldehyde appeared at number 15 both by area treated and weight applied. Its usage had increased by over four times since 1997.
The growth regulator chlormequat was thirty-first by area treated and twenty-first by weight applied.
25
Table 7 Estimated area (ha) of application the fifty most extensively used active substances on all grassland & fodder crops surveyed in Great Britain in 2002 (excluding seed treatments)
Active substance Area treated in 2002 (ha) Area treated in 1997 (ha) % change on 1997 Movement
Table 8 Estimated amount (kg) of the fifty active substances used most by weight on all grassland & fodder crops surveyed in Great Britain in 2002 (excluding seed treatments)
Active substance Amount used in 2002 (kg) Amount used in 1997 (kg) % change on 1997 Movement
Herbicides accounted for 52% of the pesticide treated area of fodder crops, seed treatments 39%, insecticides 4%, fungicides 3%, molluscicides 2%, growth regulators 1% and sulphur less than one percent (Table 2).
Maize
Herbicides accounted for 56% of the treated area of maize, seed treatments 42%, molluscicides and insecticides one percent each. By weight applied, herbicides comprised 89% of the total, seed treatments 8% and insecticides and molluscicides one percent each (Table 5 & 6). A large number of maize varieties were encountered, with Fabius, Crescendo, Vernal, Justima and Hudson being the most common.
Timing of applications on Maize September 2001 - August 2002
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Maize – Herbicides
Atrazine was applied to 90% of the maize area grown and was used mainly for general weed control, bromoxynil was applied to 43% of the area grown, the primary use stated for the latter was the control of nightshade, particularly black nightshade.
The most extensively used seed treatments were of methiocarb, 39%, thiram, 22% and fludioxonil/metalaxyl-M 6%.
Maize – Molluscicides
Metaldehyde accounted for 81% of the molluscicide treated area of maize, thiodicarb 11%, methiocarb 5% and unspecified molluscicides the remainder.
28
Maize – Insecticides
Gamma-HCH accounted for 58% of the insecticide-treated area, being used on 2% of the area of maize grown, the main reasons given for its use being the control of wireworm or a combination of wireworm and leatherjackets in maize crops drilled after grass. The final approval for use of gamma-HCH on maize expired on 20 June 2002. The only other insecticide recorded on maize, chlorpyrifos, was used primarily for the control of leatherjackets.
There was no recorded use of fungicides or growth regulators on maize.
29
Maize – Comparison with previous surveys
The area of maize grown had changed considerably over the past thirteen years, with an increase of 11% since 1997 and an almost five fold increase since 1989. In line with the increase in the area grown, the area treated rose by 2% since 1997 and by almost seven times since 1989. In terms of weight applied, there was a 4% increase since 1997 and an almost five fold increase since 1989.
Maize – Herbicides
The use of herbicides, the major pesticide group used on maize, increased by 19% since 1997 and by eight times since 1989. Atrazine has remained the principal herbicide used on maize since 1989, with bromoxynil being the second most frequently used since its appearance in 1997. Changes in the area treated (ha) for the top five herbicides in 2002 used on maize over the period 1989 – 2002 (figures in parentheses refer to position in previous years)
Despite the increase in the area grown, the area drilled with treated seed had declined by 14% since 1997. This reduction is in part due to the decreased use of the insecticide bendiocarb and anthraquinone, a bird repellent encountered on imported seed.
Maize – Insecticides
Although the use of insecticides had increased dramatically since 1989, their use had fallen by 48% since 1993 and by 67% since 1997. Much of this decrease is due to the reduction in the use of the organochlorine gamma-HCH for wireworm and leatherjacket control.
Maize – Molluscicides
Molluscicide usage had continued to increase since 1989 and that recorded in 2002, due to a wet season, was almost five times greater than in 1997.
Table 9 Comparison of pesticide usage on maize, 1989 - 2002, area treated (ha) and amount used (t)
Total – all registered pesticides 276 0.72 332 0.60 402 0.51 369 0.52 Area grown 24,782 72,894 109,413 120,996
1Seed treatment figures for 1989 relate to England & Wales only
31
32
Turnips & swedes
Seed treatments accounted for 49% of the treated area of turnips & swedes, herbicides 40%, insecticides 9%, fungicides one percent and molluscicides and sulphur less than one percent each. By weight applied, herbicides comprised 90% of the total, insecticides 5%, sulphur 2%, fungicides 2% and seed treatments and molluscicides less than one percent each (Table 5 & 6). A large number of turnip & swede varieties were encountered, with Ruta Otofte, Kenmore and Vollenda being the most common.
Timing of applications on Turnips & Swedes September 2001 - August 2002
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Turnips & swedes – Seed treatments The most extensively-used seed treatments were thiram, 44% and iprodione, 40%. Turnips & swedes – Herbicides
Trifluralin was applied to 55% of the turnip & swede area grown and was used mainly for general weed control, with metazachlor, applied to 21% of the area, being used primarily for general weed control, broad-leaved weed control and volunteers. Fat hen and docks were the only weeds specifically recorded in the survey.
Three insecticides: deltamethrin, cypermethrin and chlorpyrifos, were used on 78% of the insecticide treated area. However, no individual insecticides were used on more than 8% of the area of turnips & swedes grown. The main reason for use of deltamethrin and cypermethrin was the control of flea beetle.
Usage of fungicides, sulphur and molluscicides was minimal on turnips & swedes.
34
Turnips & swedes – Comparison with previous surveys The area of turnips & swedes grown had decreased by 43% since 1997 and by 82% since 1989. In line with the reduction in the area grown, the area treated with pesticides decreased by 55% since 1997 and by 75% since 1989. In terms of weight applied, there was a 54% decrease since 1997 and by 92% since 1989. The area treated with all major pesticide groups had fallen since 1989.
Turnips & swedes – Seed treatments The area treated with seed treatments had declined by 54% since 1997, in line with the decrease in area grown.
Turnips & swedes – Herbicides The use of herbicides decreased by 52% since 1997 and by 85% since 1989, in line with the changes in the area grown.
Turnips & swedes – Insecticides Insecticide usage fell by 70% since 1997, with no use of organochlorines recorded in 2002 and falls in the area treated with carbamates of 89%, organophosphates by 53%, and pyrethroids by 4%.
Turnips & swedes – Fungicides Although fungicide usage in both 1997 and 2002 was minimal, it had fallen by 87% since 1989.
Table 10 Comparison of pesticide usage on turnips & swedes, 1989 - 2002, area treated (ha) and amount used (t)
Total - all registered pesticides 145,315 267.83 84,727 66.39 82,429 44.65 36,924 20.65 Area grown 81,824 32,159 26,192 15,003
1Seed treatment figures for 1989 relate to England & Wales only
35
Table 10a Comparison of pesticide usage on turnips & swedes,1989 - 2002, treated area as a percentage of area grown and average rate applied (kg a.s./ha)
Total – all registered pesticides 178 1.84 263 0.78 315 0.54 246 0.56
Area grown 81,824 32,159 26,192 15,003
1Seed treatment figures for 1989 relate to England & Wales only
36 36
37
Fodder beet & mangolds
Herbicides accounted for 67% of the treated area of fodder beet & mangolds, seed treatments 19%, insecticides 10%, fungicides 3%, molluscicides one percent and sulphur less than one percent. By weight applied, herbicides comprised 64% of the total, seed treatments 26%, insecticides 7%, with sulphur, fungicides and molluscicides one percent each (Table 5 & 6). A large number of fodder beet & mangold varieties were encountered, with Kyros, Blaze, Jamon and Feldherr being the most common.
Timing of applications on Fodder beet & mangolds - September 2001 - August 2002
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Fodder Beet & Mangolds – Herbicides
Phenmedipham was applied to 63% of the fodder beet & mangolds area grown and was used mainly for general weed control, with metamitron, applied to 44% of the area, being used primarily for general weed control, chickweed and other broad-leaved weeds.
Methiocarb accounted for 24% of the seed treatment area, with thiram used on a further 23% and hymexazol 20%.
38
Fodder Beet & Mangolds – Insecticides
Together, lambda-cyhalothrin and chlorpyrifos accounted for 54% of the insecticide-treated area. Lambda-cyhalothrin was used on 10% of the area grown, with either one or two sprays being used, mainly for the control of aphids. Chlorpyrifos was used on 20% of the area of fodder beet & mangolds grown, with an average of one application being made, for the control of leatherjackets.
The formulated mixture carbendazim/flusilazole accounted for 66% of the total fungicide-treated area of fodder beet & mangolds. Most applications, 91%, were made for the control of powdery mildew.
Fodder Beet & Mangolds – Molluscicides
There was only limited usage of molluscicides, with metaldehyde comprising 83% of the total area treated.
39
Fodder Beet & Mangolds – Comparison with previous surveys
The area of fodder beet & mangolds grown had decreased by 43% since both 1997 and 1989. In line with the reduction in the area grown, the area treated with pesticides decreased by 35% since 1997 and by 36% since 1989. In terms of weight applied, there was a 45% decrease since 1997 and 49% since 1989. The discrepancy between the declines in the area treated and weight applied is due mainly to the reduced rate of application of herbicides, which fell from 0.9 kg of active substance per hectare in 1989 to 0.46 kg/ha in 2002.
Fodder Beet & Mangolds – Herbicides
The use of herbicides, the major pesticide group, decreased by 27% since 1997, and by 24% since 1989 with the weight applied decreasing by 47% and 61% respectively. As has already been mentioned, this is due to the reduction in the rate of herbicide applications and the use of repeat low dose treatments to fodder beet & mangolds. In addition, the introduction and use of sulfonylurea herbicides, such as triflusulfuron-methyl, applied at low rates of active substance per hectare, also contributed to the decrease in weight of herbicides applied since 1997.
Fodder Beet & Mangolds – Seed treatments
The area treated with seed treatments had declined by 62% since 1997, in line with the decrease in area grown, and by 52% since 1989.
Fodder Beet & Mangolds – Insecticides
In contrast to the usage of other pesticide groups, the insecticide-treated area increased by 17% since 1997 but decreased by 62% since 1989. The use of organophosphates has increased six fold since 1997, whilst the area treated with pyrethroids increased by 19% over the same period.
Fodder Beet & Mangolds – Fungicides
Fungicide usage had continued to rise since 1989 and usage in 2002 was more than three times that in 1997.
Table 11 Comparison of pesticide usage on fodder beet & mangolds, 1989 - 2002, area treated (ha) and amount used (t)
Total - all registered pesticides 70,410 43.25 64,592 95.42 69,857 39.91 45,270 21.96 Area grown 10,362 10,198 10,481 5,928
1Seed treatment figures for 1989 relate to England & Wales only
31 40
Table 11a Comparison of pesticide usage on fodder beet & mangolds, 1989 - 2002, treated area as a percentage of area grown and average rate applied (kg a.s./ha)
Total – all registered pesticides 680 0.61 630 0.54 667 0.57 764 0.49
Area grown 10,362 10,198 10,481 5,928
1Seed treatment figures for 1989 relate to England & Wales only
41 41 31 41
42
Kale, cabbage, rape etc.
Herbicides accounted for 43% of the treated area of kale, cabbage, rape etc., seed treatments 35%, insecticides 18% and molluscicides 4%. By weight applied, herbicides comprised 93% of the total, molluscicides 5%, insecticides 2% and seed treatments one percent (Table 5 & 6). A large number of kale, cabbage, rape etc. varieties were encountered, with Maris Kestrel accounting for 64%, Keeper 6%, Emerald 6% and Bittern 5% being the most commonly encountered.
Timing of applications on Kale, cabbage and rape January 2002 - December 2002
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Kale, cabbage, rape etc.– Herbicides
Trifluralin, metazachlor and glyphosate were the most frequently encountered herbicides, being used on 31%, 18% and 11% of the census area respectively. Most applications, 67%, were made for general weed control, with a further 10% for broad-leaved weed control, 6% for chickweed, 6% for thistles and 5% for sward destruction prior to drilling.
Flea beetle control accounted for 84% of all insecticide usage, with a further 9% of usage being aimed at aphid control. An average of more than one application of both cypermethrin and deltamethrin was used on 9% and 8% of the census area respectively.
Kale, cabbage, rape etc. – Comparison with previous surveys
The area of kale, cabbage, rape etc. grown had decreased by 48% since 1997 and by 38% since 1989. There were corresponding decreases in the area treated of 49% since 1997 and of 48% since 1989. In terms of weight applied, there was a 49% decrease since 1997 and 69% since 1989. The discrepancy between the declines in the area treated and weight applied between 1989 and 2002 is due to reductions in the rate applied of both herbicides and insecticides. Kale, cabbage, rape etc. – Herbicides
The use of herbicides, the major pesticide group, decreased by 46% since 1997 and by 52% since 1989, with the weight applied decreasing by 43% and 69% respectively. Between 1989 and 2002, the rate of herbicide applications fell from 1.91 kg of active substance per hectare in 1989 to 1.24 kg/ha in 2002. Kale, cabbage, rape etc. – Seed treatments
The area treated with seed treatments had declined by 61% since 1997 and by 58% since 1989. Kale, cabbage, rape etc. – Insecticides
There was no recorded use of carbamates and organochlorines on kale, cabbage, rape etc. grown in 2002 and the area treated with organophosphates fell by 76% between 1997 and 2002. By contrast, the use of pyrethroids increased by 42% between 1997 and 2002. The rate of insecticide active substances applied decreased from 0.14 kg/ha in 1989 to 0.05 kg/ha in 2002. Kale, cabbage, rape etc. – Molluscicides
Molluscicide usage had continued to rise since 1989, and usage in 2002 was almost three times greater than in 1997.
Table 12 Comparison of pesticide usage on kale, cabbage, rape etc., 1989 - 2002, area treated (ha) and amount used (t)
Total - all registered pesticides 32,389 30.38 28,214 22.29 33,227 18.67 16,803 9.53 Area grown 15,790 19,801 18,806 9,721
1Seed treatment figures for 1989 relate to England & Wales only
41 31 45
Table 12a Comparison of pesticide usage on kale, cabbage, rape etc., 1989 - 2002, treated area as a percentage of area grown and average rate applied (kg a.s./ha)
Total – all insecticides 20 0.14 6 0.16 22 0.20 31 0.05
Fungicides 2 0.52 1 1.13 . . . .
Sulphur . . . . 1 5.64 . .
Herbicides 95 1.91 64 1.59 71 1.18 74 1.24
Molluscicides 1 0.22 < 1 0.90 1 0.25 8 0.60
Seed treatments1 88 0.08 70 0.11 81 0.05 60 0.01
Total – all registered pesticides 205 0.94 142 0.79 177 0.56 173 0.57
Area grown 15,790 19,801 18,806 9,721
1Seed treatment figures for 1989 relate to England & Wales only
46 46
47
Other crops for stock feeding
Herbicides accounted for 35% of the treated area of other crops for stockfeeding, fungicides 25%, seed treatments 22%, growth regulators 10%, insecticides 6%, molluscicides 2% and sulphur less than one percent. By weight applied, herbicides comprised 66% of the total, growth regulators 15%, fungicides 11%, seed treatments 4%, molluscicides 2%, sulphur and insecticides one percent each (Table 5 & 6). A large number of other crops for stockfeeding were encountered, with wheat, barley, triticale, peas and oats being the most commonly grown for arable silage.
Timing of applications on Other crops for stockfeeding September 2001 - August 2002
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Other crops for stockfeeding - Herbicides
Isoproturon, glyphosate and metsulfuron-methyl were the most frequently-encountered herbicides, being used on 12%, 10% and 8% of the census area respectively. Most applications, 38%, were made for general weed control with a further 21% for broad-leaved weed control, 9% for nettles, 8% for grass weeds, 5% for black grass, 4% for both cleavers and chickweed and 3% for sward destruction prior to drilling.
A wide variety of fungicide formulations were used on the range of other crops for stock feeding. Of these epoxiconazole, epoxiconazole/fenpropimorph/kresoxim-methyl and azoxystrobin were the most important, accounting for 6%, 6% and 5% of the census area respectively. Where epoxiconazole was used, most was applied at half full label rate. Most fungicide usage, 83%, was for general disease control with Septoria accounting for a further 10%, Rhynchosporium 4% and mildew 3%.
Bitertanol/fuberidazole accounted for 21% of the area sown with treated seed, and thiram 13%. Other crops for stockfeeding – Growth regulators
Chlormequat and trinexapac-ethyl were the two most important growth regulator formulations encountered, accounting for 34% and 32% of the treated area respectively. Both were applied at approximately 70% or less of the full label rate.
Cypermethrin and esfenvalerate, both used primarily for aphid control, accounted for 39% and 16% of the insecticide treated area respectively. Deltamethrin, used mainly for the control of pea and bean weevil on fodder peas, comprised a further 12% of the insecticide-treated area, applied to 2% of the area of other crops grown for stockfeeding.
Other crops for stock feeding - Comparison with previous surveys
The census area of other crops for stock feeding had increased by 63% since 1997 and by nine times since 1989. There were increases in the area treated of 49% since 1997 and by over twenty times since 1989. In terms of weight of pesticides applied, there were corresponding increases of 37% since 1997 and fifteen times since 1989. The discrepancies between the increased areas grown and the treated area are due mainly to the proportionate increase in the use of whole crop arable silage and the greater number of applications made to these crops. In 1993, on average a single spray was applied to other crops for stock feeding whilst in 2002 this had increased to three.
In a number of cases whole crop silage was originally being grown as an arable crop for conventional harvest. However, a decision would be taken by the farmer part way through the season to use the crop for silage as a supplementary feed for cattle later in the year. Many of the early treatments applied to the whole crop silage would have been applied when the intention had been to produce conventionally-grown arable crops. In some cases, these crops were in fields with particularly severe blackgrass problems and the use of arable silage was seen, by the farmer, as a means of reducing the weed seed bank. Other crops for stock feeding – Herbicides
The use of herbicides, the major pesticide group, increased by 48% since 1997 and by twenty times since 1989, with the weight applied increasing by 64% and twelve times respectively. Between 1989 and 2002 the rate of herbicide applications fell from 1.44 kg of active substance per hectare in 1989 to 0.84 kg/ha in 2002. Other crops for stock feeding – Fungicides
In common with herbicide usage, the area treated with fungicides increased by 25% since 1997, whilst the rate of application decreased from 0.27 kg/ha in 1997 to 0.19 kg/ha in 2002. Other crops for stock feeding – Seed treatments The area sown with treated seed had increased by 78% since 1997 and by eleven times since 1989. Other crops for stock feeding – Insecticides Usage of insecticides, particularly pyrethroids, increased by almost four times between 1997 and 2002. Other crops for stock feeding – Growth regulators The area treated with growth regulators, particularly chlormequat, increased by 12% between 1997 and 2002. Other crops for stock feeding – Molluscicides Molluscicide usage in 2002 was almost thirty times greater than that recorded in 1997.
Table 13 Comparison of pesticide usage on other crops for stockfeeding, 1989 - 2002, area treated (ha) and amount used (t)
Total - all registered pesticides 2,930 1.97 10,034 5.12 45,195 21.82 67,445 29.80 Area grown 2,618 5,591 14,524 23,643
1Seed treatment figures for 1989 relate to England & Wales only
50
Table 13a Comparison of pesticide usage on other crops for stockfeeding,1989 - 2002, treated area as a percentage of area grown and average rate applied (kg a.s./ha)
Total – all insecticides 1 0.24 . . 7 0.17 17 0.07
Fungicides 10 0.35 42 0.33 93 0.27 72 0.19
Sulphur . . . . 3 0.71 1 2.39
Growth regulators 5 1.49 7 1.60 42 0.83 29 0.66
Herbicides 44 1.44 51 1.14 109 0.76 99 0.84
Molluscicides 1 0.22 6 0.31 < 1 0.45 6 0.45
Seed treatments1 52 0.03 74 0.10 57 0.07 62 0.08
Total – all registered pesticides 112 0.67 179 1 311 0.48 285 0.44 Area grown 2,618 5,591 14,524 23,643
1Seed treatment figures for 1989 relate to England & Wales only
51 51
52
Stubble turnips & catch crops
Seed treatments accounted for 42% of the treated area of stubble turnips & catch crops, herbicides 31%, molluscicides 14% and insecticides 13%. By weight applied, herbicides comprised 58% of the total, molluscicides 41%, insecticides one percent and seed treatments less than one percent (Table 5 & 6). A large number of stubble turnips & catch crops were encountered, with stubble turnips, fodder rape, fodder kale, swedes and fodder mustard being the most commonly grown.
Timing of applications on Stubble turnips & catch crops May 2002 - November 2002
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Stubble turnips & catch crops - Herbicides
Propaquizafop was the most important herbicide formulation recorded, being used mainly for the control of cereal volunteers. Alone it accounted for 34% of the herbicide-treated area and was used on 15% of the total area of stubble turnips & catch crops grown. Other important active substances included tepraloxydim and glyphosate (for sward destruction), comprising 12% and 7% of the herbicide treated area respectively.
Deltamethrin and cypermethrin together accounted for 69% of the insecticide-treated area, being used on 8% and 5% of the area grown respectively. Deltamethrin was used almost entirely for flea beetle control, with cypermethrin being used for both aphid and flea beetle control.
Stubble turnips & catch crops – Comparison with previous surveys
The census area of stubble turnips & catch crops had increased by 5% since 1997 and by 24% since 1989. There were increases in the area treated of 66% since 1997 and a doubling since 1989. In terms of weight applied, there were decreases of 47% since 1997 and 20% since 1989. The discrepancy between the area treated and the weight applied is due mainly to reductions in the rate of herbicide and insecticide applications between 1997 and 2002. Stubble turnips & catch crops – Seed treatments The area treated with seed treatments had increased by 41% since 1997 and by 30% since 1989. Stubble turnips & catch crops – Herbicides
The use of herbicides increased by 49% since 1997 and by almost three times since 1989, whilst the weight applied decreased by 65% and 33% respectively. Over this period, the rate of herbicide applications fell from 1.34 kg of active substance per hectare in 1989 to 0.31 kg/ha in 2002. Stubble turnips & catch crops – Insecticides
Usage of insecticides, particularly pyrethroids, more than doubled between 1997 and 2002 and increased by almost eight times since 1989. However, the weight of insecticides applied fell by 79% between 1997 and 2002 and by 57% since 1989. Since 1989 the average rate of insecticide applications has fallen from 0.20 kg/ha in 1989 to 0.01 kg/ha in 2002, reflecting the increased use of pyrethroids (which are applied at low rates of application) and decreased use of organochlorines (which were applied at much higher rates). Stubble turnips & catch crops – Molluscicides Molluscicide usage in 2002 was almost four times greater than that recorded in 1997 and ten times greater than in 1989.
Table 14 Comparison of pesticide usage on stubble turnips & catch crops, 1989 - 2002, area treated (ha) and amount used (t)
Total - all registered pesticides 20,389 8.99 16,486 9.34 26,713 13.56 44,213 7.22 Area grown 24,645 26,348 29,238 30,610
1Seed treatment figures for 1989 relate to England & Wales only
55
Table 14a Comparison of pesticide usage on stubble turnips & catch crops,1989 - 2002, treated area as a percentage of area grown and average rate applied (kg a.s./ha)
Total – all registered pesticides 83 0.44 63 0.57 91 0.51 144 0.16 Area grown 24,645 26,348 29,238 30,610
1Seed treatment figures for 1989 relate to England & Wales only
56 56
57
PESTICIDE USAGE ON GRASSLAND
Although 94% of all grassland remained untreated, (Table 19a), herbicides were used on 81% of the pesticide treated area, fungicides on 8%, seed treatments on 8%, insecticides and molluscicides on one percent and growth regulators and sulphur on less than one percent of the area (Table 2).
New leys – direct- sown
Herbicides accounted for 54% of the treated area of direct sown new leys, seed treatments 34%, molluscicides 8% and insecticides 5%. By weight applied, herbicides comprised 90% of the total, molluscicides 5%, insecticides 4% and seed treatments less than one percent (Table 5 & 6).
Timing of applications on direct sown new leys - September 2001 - August 2002
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HerbicideInsecticide
Direct-sown new leys – Herbicides
Glyphosate and benazolin/2,4-DB/MCPA were the two most commonly used herbicide formulations, accounting for 27% and 26% of the herbicide treated area and 8% and 7% respectively of the area of direct-sown new leys grown. Similarly, although most applications of glyphosate were for general weed control, the destruction of grass swards and the control of docks were also cited as important reasons for use. All glyphosate applications were, of course, pre-drilling of the new ley. Most applications of benazolin/2,4-DB/MCPA were for general and broad leaved weed control, chickweed, docks and thistles being cited as important individual weed species.
Direct-sown new leys – Seed treatments Thiram was the only active substance recorded as a seed treatment.
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Direct-sown new leys – Molluscicides Metaldehyde comprised 82% of the molluscicide treated area, methiocarb 14%. Direct-sown new leys – Insecticides Chlorpyrifos, which accounted for 85% of the insecticide-treated area of direct sown new leys, was used primarily for the control of frit fly and leatherjackets.
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New leys - undersown
Herbicides accounted for 46% of the treated area of undersown new leys, fungicides 43%, seed treatments 9%, growth regulators one percent and sulphur less than one percent. By weight applied, herbicides comprised 85% of the total, fungicides 14%, growth regulators one percent, sulphur and seed treatments less than one percent (Table 5 & 6).
Spring barley was the most commonly encountered nurse crop, accounting for 76% of the area of undersown grass. It is important to remember that pesticide usage on the undersown grass is inevitably going to overlap with nurse crops, such as spring barley, encountered in the arable crops pesticide usage survey (Garthwaite et al., 2003) and that the high level of inputs of, particularly, fungicides are specifically applied to the nurse crop rather than to the new ley. Nonetheless, the emerging grass crop will receive some of these treatments incidentally.
Timing of applications on Undersown Leys - September 2001 - August 2002
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Undersown new leys – Herbicides Benazolin/2,4-DB/MCPA accounted for 30% of the herbicide-treated area, being used on 31% of the area of undersown new leys grown. MCPA alone was used on a further 22% of the herbicide treated area and 23% of the area grown. General weed control was the reason given for use on 80% of the total herbicide treated area, with other important reasons for use including wild oat, broad leaved weed, dock, chickweed and fat hen control.
Undersown new leys – Fungicides Azoxystrobin was the single most important fungicide formulation used on undersown new leys, accounting for 15% of the fungicide treated area and 9% of the area grown. It was the second most important fungicide applied to spring barley crops generally in the same year (Garthwaite et al., 2003). Although general disease control accounted for 78% of the reasons for fungicide usage, mildew and Rhynchosporium control comprised a further 18% and 3% respectively.
Undersown new leys – Seed treatments In line with usage on direct-sown leys, thiram was the most important fungicide active substance recorded. Undersown new leys – Growth regulators Chlormequat accounted for 60% of the growth regulator-treated area.
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Grassland 2 - 5 years old
Herbicides accounted for 96% of the pesticide-treated area, insecticides 2%, fungicides 1% and molluscicides less than one percent. In terms of weight applied, herbicides comprised 98% of the total, insecticides 2% and fungicides and molluscicides less than one percent.
Timing of applications on Grassland 1998 or later - excluding new leys - September 2001 - August 2002
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Grass 2 – 5 years old – Herbicides
Although herbicides comprised the largest area of use in terms of total area treated, none of the principal five formulations were used on more than one percent of the area grown, reflecting the regular use of targeted spot applications for the control of specific weeds. As such, docks alone accounted for 40% of the herbicide-treated area and in combination with other weeds they comprised 54% of the total. Other important weed species highlighted by farmers included thistles, alone or in combination with other weed species, comprising 30% of the treated area, nettles alone 6% of the area, chickweed 3% and rushes 2%.
Grass 2 – 5 years old – Insecticides Chlorpyrifos was the only insecticide recorded and its use was confined to the control of leatherjackets.
Grass 2 – 5 years old – Fungicides & molluscicides There was only limited usage of both fungicides and molluscicides.
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Grassland less than 5 years old – Comparison with previous surveys
The census area of grassland less than five years old (i.e. including all newly sown leys as described in the previous two sections) had decreased by 9% since 1997, but increased by 18% since 1989. There was a decrease in the area treated of 27% since 1997 and an increase of 56% since 1989. In terms of weight applied, there was a decrease of 52% since 1997 and a decrease of less than one percent since 1989. The discrepancy between the area treated and the weight applied is due mainly to reductions in the rate of herbicide applications between 1989 and 2002. Grassland less than 5 years old – Herbicides
The use of herbicides, the principal pesticide group, had decreased by 42% since 1997 but increased by 43% since 1989, whilst the weight applied decreased by 52% and 2% respectively. Between 1989 and 2002, the rate of herbicide applications fell from 1.59 kg of active substance per hectare in 1989 to 1.09 kg/ha in 2002. Benazolin/2,4-DB/MCPA and MCPA have consistently been the first and second principal herbicide formulations used on grassland less than 5 years old over the past four surveys. Changes in the area treated (ha) for the top five herbicides in 2002 used on grass < 5 years old over the period 1987 – 2002 (figures in parentheses refer to position in previous years)
494 (271) 11,148 Clopyralid/fluroxypyr/triclopyr Grassland less than 5 years old – Fungicides
The area treated with fungicides had increased by 20% since 1997 and more than doubled since 1989. Between 1989 and 2002, the rate of fungicide application decreased from 0.36 kg/ha to 0.17 kg/ha. Grassland less than 5 years old – Seed treatments
The area treated with seed treatments had more than doubled since 1997. However, some of this increase may be due to the lack of availability of information relating to seed treatments at the time of a visit. Where there was no information available on the use of seed treatments to newly sown grass it has been assumed that an unspecified seed treatment was used. This may have artificially raised the seed treatment area as in many cases grass seed is sown untreated. Grassland less than 5 years old – Insecticides
Usage of insecticides decreased by 78% between 1997 and 2002, and by 50% since 1989. The weight of insecticides applied fell by 80% between 1997 and 2002, but increased by 2% since 1989. Grassland less than 5 years old – Molluscicides
Molluscicide usage in 2002 was over three times greater than that recorded in 1997 and almost four times greater than in 1989. However, the area treated in 2002 was 58% less than in 1993.
Table 15 Comparison of pesticide usage on grass < 5 years old, 1989 - 2002, area treated (ha) and amount used (t)
Total - all registered pesticides 187,820 211.17 618,984 563.75 403,481 434.98 293,082 210.73
Area grown 930,551 1,358,717 1,202,638 1,093,699
1Seed treatment figures for 1989 relate to England & Wales only
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Table 15a Comparison of pesticide usage on grass < 5 years old,1989 - 2002, treated area as a percentage of area grown and average rate applied (kg a.s./ha)
Total – all registered pesticides 20 1.12 46 0.91 34 1.08 27 0.72 Area grown 930,551 1,358,717 1,202,638 1,093,699
1Seed treatment figures for 1989 relate to England & Wales only
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Permanent pasture
Herbicides accounted for 99% of the pesticide-treated area, with insecticides comprising less than one percent in terms of both area treated and weight applied. There was no recorded use of fungicides, growth regulators or molluscicides.
Timing of applications on Permanent Pasture - January 2002 - December 2002
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Permanent Grass – Herbicides
Although herbicides comprised the largest area of use in terms of total area treated, not one of the principal five active substances was used on more than one percent of the area grown, reflecting the regular use of targeted spot applications for the control of specific weeds. In line with this type of usage, docks alone accounted for 34% of the herbicide-treated area and in combination with other weeds they comprised 42% of the total. Other important weed species included thistles, alone or in combination with other weed species, comprising 44% of the treated area, nettles 17% of the area, ragwort 2% and chickweed 2%.
Permanent Grass – Comparison with previous surveys
The census area of permanent grassland had increased by 4% since 1997 and by 19% since 1989. There was a decrease in the area treated with pesticides of 45% since 1997 and 10% since 1989. In terms of weight applied, there was a decrease of 60% since 1997 and of 34% since 1989. The discrepancy between the area treated and the weight applied is due mainly to reductions in the rate of herbicide applications between 1989 and 2002. Permanent Grass – Herbicides
Herbicides accounted for 99% of the total area treated with pesticides in each of the four survey years covered in this report. The changes in areas treated and weight applied followed the percentages outlined above. The average rate of herbicide applications decreased from 1.41 kg of active substances per hectare in 1989 to 1.03 kg/ha in 2002. MCPA has consistently been the principal herbicide applied to permanent grassland over this period. However, in 2002, the use of fluroxypyr/triclopyr increased by almost four times since 1997 and the use of clopyralid/fluroxypyr/triclopyr almost doubled over the same period.
Changes in the area treated (ha) for the top five herbicides in 2002 used on permanent grass over the period 1987 – 2002 (figures in parentheses refer to position in previous years)
Total - all registered pesticides 314,079 442.89 467,342 749.33 513,961 738.94 283,836 293.15 Area grown 3,955,528 4,555,472 4,524,899 4,714,794
Table 16a Comparison of pesticide usage on permanent grass,1989 - 2002, treated area as a percentage of area grown and average rate applied (kg a.s./ha)
Total – all insecticides . . < 1 0.48 < 1 0.72 < 1 0.72
Fungicides < 1 0.12 < 1 0.13 < 1 0.16 . .
Herbicides 8 1.41 10 1.61 11 1.44 6 1.03
Total – all registered pesticides 8 1.41 10 1.60 11 1.44 6 1.03
Area grown 3,955,528 4,555,472 4,524,899 4,714,794
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Rough grazing
Herbicides were the only recorded pesticides applied to rough grazing.
Timing of applications on Rough Grazing January 2002 - December 2002
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Rough grazing – Herbicides
Herbicide usage on rough grazing followed the same pattern as 2-5 year old and permanent grassland with spot applications of each of the principal formulations accounting for no more than one percent of the rough grazing area. In line with this type of usage, control of thistles alone accounted for 23% of the herbicide-treated area and in combination with other weeds they comprised 65% of the total. Other important weeds included nettles, alone or in combination with other species, comprising 55% of the treated area, docks 16% of the area, rushes 3% and bracken 3%.
The area of rough grazing had increased by 2% since 1997 but decreased by 4% since 1989. With the exception of 1997, where a trial area was treated with insecticides, herbicides were the only pesticides encountered on rough grazing. There was a decrease in the total area treated of 52% since 1997, but a three-fold increase since 1989. In terms of weight applied, there was a decrease of 62% since 1997 and an increase of almost three times since 1989. Rough grazing – Herbicides
The average rate of herbicide applications decreased from 1.74 kg of active substances per hectare in 1989 to 1.49 kg/ha in 2002. MCPA has consistently been the principal herbicide applied to rough grazing between 1989 and 2002.
Changes in the area treated (ha) for the top five herbicides in 2002 used on rough grazing over the period 1987 – 2002 (figures in parentheses refer to position in previous years)
1989 1993 1997 2002 Formulation
5,555 (1) 22,622 (1) 66,477 (1) 25,120 MCPA
8,651 Mecoprop-P
2,443 (3) 6,813 (3) 15,281 (2) 5,507 Asulam
440 (6) 3,168 (5) 3,063 (4) 3,763 Glyphosate
2,433 Dicamba/MCPA/mecoprop-P
Table 17 Comparison of pesticide usage on rough grazing, 1989 - 2002, area treated (ha) and amount used (t)
Total - all registered pesticides 15,858 27.55 51,373 87.85 107,923 202.53 51,835 77.16 Area grown 4,483,267 4,409,099 4,196,201 4,286,369
Table 17a Comparison of pesticide usage on rough grazing,1989 - 2002, treated area as a percentage of area grown and average rate applied (kg a.s./ha)
Chemical 1989 1993 1997 2002
Area treated as % of area grown
Average appln. Rate (kg a.s./ha)
Area treated as % of area grown
Average appln. Rate (kg a.s./ha)
Area treated as % of area grown
Average appln. Rate (kg a.s./ha)
Area treated as % of area grown
Average appln. Rate (kg a.s./ha)
Insecticides
Organochlorines . . . . < 1 1.12 . .
Total – all insecticides . . . . < 1 1.12 . .
Herbicides < 1 1.74 1 1.71 2 1.93 1 1.49
Total – all registered pesticides < 1 1.74 1 1.71 3 1.88 1 1.49 Area grown 4,483,267 4,409,099 4,196,201 4,286,369
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COMPARISON WITH PREVIOUS SURVEYS
The following section compares usage of pesticides on grassland and fodder crops within Great Britain during the period 1989 to 2002. (Tables 18 & 19).
Fodder crops
There was a 1% decrease in the area of fodder crops grown in 2002 compared with 1997, but a 47% increase since 1989. There was a corresponding decrease in the area treated of 6% since 1997, with the area treated almost doubling since 1989. The weight of pesticides applied decreased by 11% since 1997 and by 21% since 1989. A four-fold increase in the area of maize grown since 1989 is largely responsible for the greater area of fodder crops and the increase in pesticide-treated area. With the exception of stubble turnips & other catch crops, the area of which changed only slightly over the last thirteen years, maize and other crops for stock feeding were the only two crops to increase in area grown, with the area of all other crops declining.
Herbicide use, which accounted for 52% of the pesticide-treated area in 2002, had increased by 6% since 1997. Despite this, there was actually a 5% decrease in the weight of active substances applied. This was due to the reduction in rate of application of herbicides from 1.87 kg active substance/hectare in 1989 to 0.81 kg a.s./hectare in 2002. Atrazine alone comprised 40% of the total weight of herbicide active substances applied in 2002 and its rate of application fell from 1.58 kg/ha in 1989 to 1.06 kg/ha in 2002.
Seed treatment usage showed a decrease of 20% since 1997. However, this may in part be due to a reduction in area of imported seed treated with anthraquinone, which fell from almost 19,000 sown hectares in 1997 to 2,900 hectares in the current survey, with bendiocarb use decreasing from 18,000 sown hectares in 1997 to 680 hectares in 2002. Despite the decreased area in 2002, seed treatments had more than doubled since 1989 in line with the greater area of maize now being grown. The usage of methiocarb, thiram, anthraquinone, fludioxonil/metalaxyl and fludioxonil/metalaxyl-M on maize accounted for 52% of the area of all fodder crop seed treatments. In line with the changes in treated area, the weight of seed treatment active substances used decreased by 30% since 1997, but was almost three times greater than in 1989.
The area treated with insecticides had decreased by 28% since 1997 and by 39% since 1989. The area treated with organophosphates decreased by 73% since 1989, that of carbamates by 88% and organochlorines by 58%. Usage of pyrethroids increased three fold over the same period. Deltamethrin and cypermethrin were the most commonly used active substances in this group and were applied to a wide range of fodder crops. In line with the increased use of pyrethroids, which are applied at low rates, the average rate of application of all insecticides fell from 0.46 kg/ha in 1989 to 0.25 kg/ha in 2002.
Usage of fungicides on fodder crops was limited, although the area treated in 2002 was almost five times greater compared with both 1993 and 1989. Since 1997, the area treated had increased by 31%, in line with the increase in the area of arable silage grown. The weight applied, however, had increased by 62% since 1989, this anomaly reflecting the reduction in application rate from 0.63 kg/ha in 1989 to 0.21 kg/ha in 2002. The use of sulphur decreased by 85% in terms of area treated and by 92% by weight applied between 1989 and 2002.
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Molluscicide usage, particularly on stubble turnips & catch crops and maize, had increased over four-fold compared to 1997 and by almost twelve times compared to 1989.
Although growth regulator usage, applied solely to other crops for stock feeding, increased by 12% in terms of area treated since 1997, it was over fifty times greater than the area treated in 1989, reflecting an increased usage of whole crop cereals for silage.
Grassland
There was a 2% increase in the area of grassland grown in Great Britain compared with 1997, but a 4% decrease since 1989. Although the area treated almost doubled between 1989 and 1993, mainly due a change in the collection of undersown cereal data, there was a 39% decrease in the area treated between 1997 and 2002. Much of this decline is due to a reduction in the herbicide and insecticide-treated area, mainly applied to newly sown grass leys, between 1997 and 2002.
There was a 44% decline in the area treated with herbicides, the major pesticide group used on grassland, between 1997 and 2002, with a corresponding decrease in the tonnage of active substances applied of 58%. However, the area treated in 2002 was 9% less than in 1989, while the weight applied was 31% lower, reflecting the reduction in rate of application over this period from 1.46 kg of active substance/hectare in 1989 to 1.10 kg/ha in 2002. The area treated with herbicides accounted for 81% of the pesticide treated area in 2002, 89% in 1997, 80% in 1993 and 89% in 1989, whilst on a weight basis, they accounted for 96% of all pesticides applied in 1997, 97% in 1997, 95% in 1993 and 98% in 1989. The relative importance of the major grassland herbicide, MCPA, remained the same in all four surveys. In the current survey mecoprop-P had replaced mecoprop as the second most important herbicide applied to grassland.
Fungicide usage in 2002, in terms of area treated, was 19% greater than that recorded in 1997, due mainly to an increase in use on new leys, both direct-sown and undersown.
Insecticide usage on grassland in 2002 had decreased by 78% since 1997 and by 55% since 1989, with decreases in the usage of all major insecticide groups. The usage of organophosphates, in particular chlorpyrifos for frit fly and leatherjacket control in direct sown leys, accounted for the majority of insecticide usage in all years, but had decreased by 75% since 1997. There has been no recorded use of carbamates since 1989.
Seed treatment usage on both direct and undersown grass leys had changed little since 1989, accounting for 4% of total pesticide usage in 1989, 2% in both 1993 & 1997 and 8% in 2002. The increase in 2002 was due mainly to an increased area of unspecified seed treatments.
Molluscicide usage on grassland in 2002, in terms of area treated, was over three times greater than in 1997 and almost four times greater than in 1989. However, the area treated in 2002 was 42% of the total area treated in 1993.
Usage of growth regulators in 2002, on undersown grass leys, was eight times greater than the area treated in 1997 and four times greater than in 1989.
Table 18 Comparison of pesticide usage on fodder crops other than grass, 1989 - 2002, area treated (ha) and amount used (t)
Total – all registered pesticides 347,313 410.28 445,840 343.42 696,740 362.65 656,852 322.80
Area grown 139,756 166,991 208,654 205,901
1Seed treatment figures for 1989 relate to England & Wales only
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Table 18a Comparison of pesticide usage on fodder crops other than grass, 1989 - 2002, treated area as a percentage of area grown and average rate applied (kg a.s./ha)
Total – all registered pesticides 6 1.33 11 1.23 10 1.34 6 0.92
Area grown 170,376 166,991 208,654 205,901
1Seed treatment figures for 1989 relate to England & Wales only
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Thanks are due to all of the growers who willingly participated in this survey, providing invaluable information upon which this report is based. Many thanks are also due to Helen Anderson, Chris Bierley, Aimee Dawson, Harriet Dennison, Jeremy Snowden, Harley Stoddart and Louis Thomas for their role in collecting the data, Gillian Parrish and Lynda Smith for preparatory work, data entry and checking data integrity and Emma Maidment for her role in maintaining the pesticides database. Thanks also go to the members of the ACP Working Party on Pesticide Usage Surveys for their invaluable comments. REFERENCES Anon. (2002a) Agricultural Statistics in England and Wales 2001. London: HMSO Anon. (2002b) Agricultural Statistics, Scotland 2001. Edinburgh: HMSO Anon. (2003a) Agricultural Statistics in England and Wales 2002. London: HMSO Anon. (2003b) Agricultural Statistics, Scotland 2002. Edinburgh: HMSO Bowen, H.M., (1988) Pesticide usage in Scotland Survey Report 58. Grassland 1984. Edinburgh: DAFS. Bowen, H.M., Shave, P.R., Thomas, L.A. Dickson J.M. (1991) Pesticide usage in Scotland Survey Report 82. Grassland and Fodder Crops 1989. Edinburgh: DAFS. Chapman, P.J., Sly, J.M.A. & Cutler, J.R. (1977) Pesticide Usage Survey Report 11 - Arable Farm Crops 1974. London: MAFF. Cutler, J.R., (1981) Review of pesticide usage in agriculture, horticulture and animal husbandry 1975-1979. Pesticide Usage Survey Report 27. Edinburgh: DAFS. Davis, R.P., Thomas, M.R., Garthwaite, D.G. (1991) Pesticide Usage Survey Report 79 - Grassland and Fodder Crops 1989. London: MAFF. Garthwaite, D.G., Thomas, M.R., Banham, A. R. & De’ath, A. (1999) Pesticide Usage Survey Report 151 - Grassland and Fodder Crops in Great Britain 1999. London: MAFF. Garthwaite, D.G., Thomas, M.R., Dawson, A. & Stoddart, H. (2003) Pesticide Usage Survey Report 187 - Arable Farm Crops 2002. London: Defra Hicks, L.C. & Sly, J.M.A. (1982) Pesticide Usage Survey Report 20 - Grassland and Fodder Crops 1979. London: MAFF. Sly, J.M.A. (1986) Pesticide Usage Survey Report 35 - Arable Farm Crops and Grass 1982. London: MAFF. Thomas, M.R., Garthwaite, D.G. (1994) Pesticide Usage Survey Report 119 - Grassland and Fodder Crops 1993. London: MAFF. Thomas, M.R. (2001) Pesticide usage monitoring in the United Kingdom. Annals of Occupational Hygiene, 45 (supplement 1): S87-S93. Wood, H.J. (1931) An agricultural atlas of Scotland. London: George Gill & Sons.
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PESTICIDE USAGE SURVEY REPORTS APPENDIX Surveys which include data relating to Scotland are marked with * Surveys which include data relating to Northern Ireland are marked with # PUBLISHED REPORTS 1
150 Review of usage of pesticides in agriculture & horticulture throughout Great Britain 1986-1996* PB 4188 £2.00 151 Grassland & fodder crops in Great Britain 1997* PB 4189 £3.00 152 Hardy Nursery Stock in Great Britain 1997* PB 4280 £3.00 153 Outdoor bulbs & flowers in Great Britain 1997* PB 4244 £2.00 154 Rodenticide usage on farms in Great Britain growing grassland and fodder crops 1997* PB 4739 £2.00 155 Rodenticide usage by Local Authorities in Great Britain 1997* PB 5411 £3.00 156 Grassland and fodder crops, Northern Ireland 1997# ISBN 1 85527 506 6 157 Sheep treatments, Northern Ireland 1997# ISBN 1 85527 425 6 158 Aerial applications, Great Britain 1998* PB 4552 £3.00 159 Arable farm crops in Great Britain 1998* PB 4808 £4.50 160 Soft fruit in Great Britain 1998* PB 5412 £3.50 161 Potato stores in Great Britain 1998* PB 5413 £2.50 162 Rodenticide usage on farms in Great Britain growing arable crops 1998* PB 5946 £2.50 163 Outdoor vegetable crops in Great Britain 1999* PB 5947 £3.50 164 Protected crops (edible and ornamental) in Great Britain 1999* PB 6166 £3.50 165 Mushroom crops in Great Britain 1999* PB 6167 £1.00 166 Aerial applications, Great Britain 1999* PB 8151 £1.50 167 Soft fruit crops, Northern Ireland 1998# ISBN 1 85527 540 6 168 Arable crops, Northern Ireland 1998# ISBN 1 85527 536 8 169 Vegetable crops, Northern Ireland 1999# ISBN 1 85527 561 9 170 Mushroom crops, Northern Ireland 1999# ISBN 1 85527 549 X 171 Arable farm crops in Great Britain 2000* PB 8014 £2.00 172 Orchards and fruit stores in Great Britain 2000* PB 6168 £1.50 173 Hops in Great Britain 2000 PB 6169 £1.00 174 Potato stores in Great Britain 2000* PB 8015 £1.50 175 Rodenticide usage on farms in Great Britain growing arable crops 2000* PB 8016 £1.50 176 Aerial applications, Great Britain 2000* PB 8152 £1.50 178 Top fruit crops, Northern Ireland 2002# ISBN 1 85527 618 6 179 Farm grain stores in Great Britain 1998/99* PB 6170 £1.00 180 Commercial grain stores in Great Britain 1998/99* PB 6171 £1.00 181 Soft fruit crops in Great Britain 2001* PB 8017 £1.50 182 Hardy nursery stock in Great Britain 2001* PB 8177 £1.50 183 Outdoor bulbs and flowers in Great Britain 2001* PB 8153 £2.00 184 Aerial applications, Great Britain 2001* PB 8154 £1.50 186 Aerial applications, Great Britain 2002* PB 8176 £1.50 187 Arable crops in Great Britain 2002* PB 9148 £4.00
Copies of reports categorised PB may be purchased from Defra Publications, Admail 6000, London SW1A 2XX Tel: 08459 556000 Copies of reports categorised ISBN may be obtained through Her Majesty’s Stationery Office.
1For information on reports prior to number 150 consult our website at: www.csl.gov.uk/prodserv/cons/pesticide/intell/reports.cfm