Triple stacked attack combating resistance

^{Glen Currie's autumn planted wheat establish using a 2.5 L/ha Tower applied post sowing pre-emergent.} 

While Tower is well proven across Europe and the UK, getting it ready for New Zealand conditions has required extensive local trial work. ADAMA began its first local trials in 2017, starting a programme focused on confirming performance, crop safety, and fit within local farming systems.

Since then, trials using Tower® confirm its performance under New Zealand conditions, setting practical use guidelines such as withholding periods and plant-back intervals.

A collaboration with PGG Wrightson’s Technical Team built a strong understanding of how TOWER adds value in local systems.

In autumn 2025, PGG Wrightson Technical Specialist in Agronomy, Chris Lowe, facilitated a replicated trial and commercial demonstration on Glen Currie’s farm near Methven, to test the product under real farm conditions.

“The stacked mode-of-action approach gives growers another tool for tackling key weeds,” says Chris.

“It helps reduce reliance on Group 2 and Group 4 herbicides for species like fathen, chickweed and ryegrass.”

Chris says resistance is no longer a future issue.

“We have not seen major issues around Methven yet, but resistant weeds have been found nearby in Mayfield, only 34 kilometres away. It is not a question of if, but when. Southland, Canterbury, and other parts of the country are already dealing with it.”

Methven grower Glen Currie says early results are encouraging.

“After seeing how it performed in a commercial trial in autumn 2024, and talking through resistance management with Chris, we have decided to use Tower on a larger area this autumn,” says Glen.

“It is about staying ahead of resistance and strengthening the programme."

Combining three proven actives, chlorotoluron (Group 5), pendimethalin (Group 3) and diflufenican (Group 12), for broad spectrum of control on key broadleaf weeds and some grasses in autumn and spring-sown wheat and barley.

Alan Steel, Canterbury Commercial Manager for ADAMA NZ, says the product brings something genuinely new to cereal weed control.

“This is the first time chlorotoluron is available to New Zealand growers,” says Alan.

“It also brings pendimethalin into cereals, which some growers will already be familiar with from other crops.”

Tower works through the roots and shoots of germinating weeds, giving residual control during early crop establishment when weeds do the most damage to yield.

Alan says controlling polygonum weeds, which have typically been a weak spot in pre-emergence programmes, is a real stand out.

Flexibility is another advantage.

“In spring-sown wheat and barley, applying pre-emergence, controls weeds right from the start for strong establishment,” he says.

It also helps ease pressure later in the season.

“In spring, post-emergence herbicide applications often clash with nitrogen, fungicide, plant growth regulators and other spray jobs across the farm,” says Alan.

“A pre-emergent herbicide moves that job earlier, spreading the workload.

“Starting clean gives growers more flexibility with timing and helps make sure those key later-season applications are not compromised.”

Get more information on fighting resistance in spring barley and wheat with TOWER from your local ADAMA Commercial Manager.

Tower® is a registered trademark of an ADAMA group company. 

Media Contact:

Hamish Mulcock | Portfolio Manager | E: hamish.mulcock@adama.com