• DEC / JAN 2021
FARM NEWS 7
Beware of rodents attacking precious straw stocks
RODENTS are out in force again this year and with nationwide straw shortages , farmers are being urged to protect already scarce straw stocks , so they last the winter .
Ken Black , national account manager at Bayer , says the poor 2020 harvest means there needs to be a pro-active approach to protecting straw bales from rodents that are now seeking cover , harbourage and winter feed .
“ According to AHDB , straw prices are up by over 40 % on this time last year , that reflects the limited availability .
“ Thorough rodent control is going to be especially vital this winter ,” says Ken .
How to tackle rodents this winter
He points to a three-point plan to keep rodents out of the straw shed this winter .
“ Firstly , producers should ensure the area around the shed is free from debris and undergrowth , as rodents may be sheltering there .
“ Secondly , monitor for activity to provide the evidence that rodents are active and if they are , pinpoint the areas of high activity .
“ Farmers can visually monitor for signs of activity by checking for droppings , footprints and chewed bales or string or they can place perimeter bait boxes around the shed with grain in , to monitor for signs of rodent feeding activity ,” he says .
The final course of action is to look to rodenticides . “ Remember , that anyone purchasing and applying these treatments must have appropriate qualifications and adhere to CRRU guidelines , which is also now a requirement of farm assurance .
“ When it comes to selecting the appropriate rodenticide , the same active ingredient can be found in several different formulations , for example , in blocks or grain , like Rodilon ®.
“ The selected formulation should aim to give the best chance of bait uptake . Typically for a farm environment a combination of blocks and grain baits offers the most successful control ,” adds Ken .
“ Blocks can be fastened in place and therefore minimise the risk of contamination , but they ’ re not necessarily as palatable as a soft block or paste . Grain baits are however usually a popular choice in the farm environment as it ’ s often similar to the food source on the farm . However , the decision about formulation selection comes back to your knowledge of the particular site .”
Ken adds that rodenticide resistance is also a growing
Launch of large-scale machine for rolling dry or moist grain
A new machine launched by feed preservation specialists , Kelvin Cave Ltd , is thought to be the largest roller mill on the UK and Irish market . The Murska 4000 rolls dry or moist grain at a rate of up to 100 tonnes / hour ( for maize ) or 80t / hr ( for crimped , moist cereals ).
problem , with many parts of the UK having widespread resistance to the actives bromodialone and difenacoumn .
“ Rodent populations are high again this year and with straw a very valuable asset this winter , it ’ s important producers take an integrated approach by physically clearing the at-risk areas , by monitoring populations and applying rodenticides where appropriate .”
www . environmentalscience . bayer . co . uk / Pest-Management
Here is Ken ’ s threepoint plan to keep rodents at bay this winter :
• Ensure the at-risk areas are free from debris and undergrowth
• Monitor rodent populations
• Use rodenticides if appropriate to get populations under control
Each year , the company looks to reinvest 10 % of its turnover into research and development across the entire business .
The Bayer Pest Solutions Team of experts has a wide range of knowledge and practical experience and is available to answer technical questions on the use of professional pest control products .
|
THIS high-volume throughput makes the Murska 4000 suitable for large-scale farming operators including contractors or animal feed blending plants .
Its four pairs of meter-long rollers with their 2mm-fluted , hardened surface enable the machine to roll or crimp a wide range of grains and pulses . This ranges from completely dry cereals and maize to grains with moisture contents of up to 45 %.
|
High moisture grains or pulses requiring additives can be treated as the grain is processed , with preservatives such as Crimpsafe or Propcorn NC , if an applicator is fitted . Similarly , applicators can also add feed supplements such as minerals , at the time of processing .
The Murska 4000 ’ s robust belt conveyer gives the machine extended reach into grain stores , clamps of crimp , or lorries . Its modular design also
|
means it can be expanded with an additional unit , should an even higher capacity be required .
‘ engineeing
excellence ’
Designed and manufactured in Finland , the Murska 4000 joins an existing range of rollers and crimpers which cater for all sizes of operator . These range from
|
the small farm which processes feed for its own livestock to large AD plants using crimp as feedstock . All models run from a tractor ’ s PTO or some smaller models have the option of a three-phase electric motor .
“ The Murska and Korte grain rolling and crimping machines are widely acknowledged as global market leaders ,” says Michael Carpenter from Kelvin Cave Ltd . “ Their ability to process all cereal grains and
|
pulses at such a wide range of moisture contents sets the benchmark in the farming industry and meets our own exacting standards for engineering excellence .”
Kelvin Cave Ltd are sole UK and Ireland distributors of Murska and Korte grain processing machinery . Please call (+ 44 ) ( 0 ) 1458 252281 , Michael Carpenter on + 44 ( 0 ) 7817 977701 or visit www . kelvincave . com .
|