March 30, 2007
For Immediate Release 

EPA REISSUES SECTION 18 EXEMPTION FOR KENTUCKY WHEAT GROWERS’ USE OF HEAD SCAB SUPPRESSION PRODUCTS

For the fourth year, wheat growers will be able to utilize a proven weapon in their fight against Fusarium head blight (FHB or head scab) due to an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) decision on March 26 to grant Kentucky a Section 18 Emergency Exemption for the use of tebuconazole, marketed under the names Folicur 3.6F and Orius 3.6F.

“Head scab is an economically devastating disease for small grain growers and our producers will once again have a tool that may help suppress incidence of the disease this spring,” said Kentucky Small Grain Growers Association executive director Todd Barlow.

According to Don Hershman, University of Kentucky (UK) plant pathologist, FHB is a fungal disease that occurs on small grains such as wheat, oats and barley during excessively wet conditions. Affected grain is not only less productive, but contains a toxin that is rejected by grain millers. Tebuconazole, the active ingredient in Folicur 3.6F and Orius 3.6F produced by Bayer Crop Science, is a foliar fungicide proven to suppress the incidence of head scab as well as reduce vomitoxin levels.

The Section 18 label allows for a single ground or aerial application of 4 fl oz/A of a tebuconazole product to wheat through very early flowering (Feeke’s stage 10.51) or May 30^th, whichever comes first. Applications cannot be made within 30 days of harvest. A copy of the section 18 label must be in your possession at the time of application.

Following the 2006 Section 18 exemption, Hershman released guidelines for successful product use.

He said excellent fungicide coverage on wheat heads is crucial to achieve the greatest possible FHB/DON suppression. This is no small challenge since most spray systems used in wheat were developed to deliver pesticides to foliage (horizontal structures). In order to maximize coverage on heads (vertical targets), significant changes may need to be made to the sprayer boom system. Also, discipline must be exercised to ensure that proper sprayer pressure and volumes are used.

For ground application, research has shown that best head coverage is achieved with a double-swivel nozzle configuration of XR8001 flat-fan nozzles oriented forward and backward at a 45 degree angle. Acceptable coverage can also be achieved with a single nozzle configuration using TwinJet TJ8002 nozzles. When using either the double-swivel nozzle or the single TwinJet configuration, best head coverage is achieved when the boom is set 8 to10 inches above the heads, spray pressure is 30 to 40 psi OR 80 to 90 psi, fungicides are delivered in 15 or more gallons or water/A, and ground speed does not exceed 8 mph during application.

The first section 18 exemption for Kentucky was granted in 2004 following work done by KySGGA, the University of Kentucky, Kentucky Department of Agriculture, Bayer Crop Science and independent crop advisors. Several other states have been awarded the Section 18 due to substantial economic loss caused by head scab.

The Kentucky Small Grain Growers Association works to advance the production, utilization and marketing of Kentucky small grains for increased farmer profitability.

 For information, please contact:

KySGGA Executive Director Todd Barlow – (502) 243-2150

Dr. Don Hershman, University of Kentucky – (270) 365-7541 ext. 215