Across the summer cropping regions of Australia, more and more growers are turning to Valor® from Sumitomo Chemical Australia as their herbicide of choice. Patrick Press, Regional Manager for Sumitomo explaines that Valor has several unique attributes that make it one of the most versatile compounds in this arena.

Firstly, and most importantly it works. In a recent GRDC trial against common sowthistle, a weed that has become resistant to many fallow applied herbicides including glyphosate, Valor at 280 g/ha provided the best residual control of common sowthistle when applied as a stand-alone residual herbicide and as a mix partner with grass active herbicides. Valor also performs well on difficult to control weeds including feathertop Rhodes grass and fleabane. As a group G mode of action herbicide with zero recorded resistance in Australia to date, Valor is perfect fit for managing/delaying glyphosate resistance”.

Widderick, M and Erbacher, A, 2019. Residual Herbicides and Sowthistle - Length of Residual and Efficacy. Trials in CQ And Darling Downs. GRDC Project code: UQ00062

In addition to sowthistle, Valor gives excellent control against all other major summer weeds according to Patrick, and is especially strong against feathertop Rhodes grass, one of the biggest issues in northern cropping over recent years. Similar to sowthistle we have seen long lengths of residual control, lasting several months at times.

Valor gives excellent residual control of feathertop Rhodes grass

“Another reason we find growers asking for the product is because Valor’s short plant backs and wide range of crop uses fit perfectly with the uncertain times that the dry conditions bring. Valor doesn’t lock growers in to a narrow range of crops like many other alternatives which have very long plant back intervals” explained Patrick. “With residual registrations in fallow and prior to planting cotton, sorghum, soybeans, mungbeans, peanuts, pigeon peas, navy beans, maize and sunflowers, Valor is one of those products that growers can have handy in the shed and know that they always have the flexibility to alter cropping plans when opportunities or contingencies require it.

“In fact,” said Patrick, “this year Valor has been included in Bayer’s Roundup Ready Plus program which means that, cotton growers may be eligible for a rebate on Valor sprayed in the Roundup Ready FLEX® cotton system under the Roundup Ready PLUS® program”.

With a product so powerful, reliable and flexible, Patrick said the question should not be why are so many growers using Valor, but rather, why wouldn’t they?

 To find out more about Valor click here.