Some tillage farmers in the north-east of the country have expressed concern about the impact of a particular herbicide on their crop yields this year.

Agrochemicals distribution company, Sharda Cropchem has confirmed to Agriland: "Sharda Cropchem is aware of crop/yield reduction issues in a small cluster of tillage farms in the north-east of the country.

"The tillage farmers concerned used Sharda’s herbicide ‘FAN’ on their winter barley crops. 

"Upon the problem being reported to the company, arrangements were made to visit the impacted farmers – and most of the affected farmland has now been examined," the company stated.

It explained that the herbicide in question was separately tested on two occasions before distribution, as would be the norm, and that arrangements are now in train to further test the appropriate batches. 

According to its labelling, FAN, which can be used on wheat and barley, controls emerged weeds on all soils and tilths and is unaffected by high organic matter or high Kd factor (i.e., soils with a high adsorptive capacity).

"As part of Sharda’s consideration of the matter, records were examined from the Dunsany weather station and it was noted that, at the time of spray applications, there was high diurnal difference in temperature (-1C at night to 16C in the daytime), with the most extreme variation being 1C at night and 20C in the daytime," the statement to Agriland added.

"Product quality and farmer trust are top priorities for Sharda Cropchem. We aim to ensure that this matter is resolved responsibly and promptly," the company sid.

In this regard, Sharda Cropchem expects to have the affected crops further examined and assessed this week.