ADAMA launch new slug and snail control product for spring.

Crop protection company ADAMA Ltd have launced a new slug and snail bait, Ferrabait^®, containing the novel active ingredient Feralla^®, available in New Zealand in time for spring planting.

ADAMA NZ portfolio manager, Hamish Mulcock says Ferrabait will deliver real value to farmers and growers, thanks to its enhanced attractiveness to the target pests and favourable toxicity profile when compared to traditional metaldehyde slug baits. “It brings something unique, and has performed strongly in New Zealand trials.”

Hamish says Ferrabait gives slug control within the first three days of application, significantly reducing feeding damage from the pests and improving crop yield and quality.

“Slugs are an economically significant pest in agriculture and horticulture, so this is an important advance. New Zealand farmers and growers battle slugs in everything from brassicas to beet; emerging pasture and cereals to vegetables.”

He says trials showcased Ferrabait’s very strong performance, demonstrating a 90% reduction in crop damage within the first three days. In contrast, up to 70% of untreated seedlings were consumed. 

“Ferrabait has demonstrated equivalent in efficacy to metaldehyde baits but  has a much safer toxicity and ecotoxicity profile as it uses the active Feralla. Lower toxicity and ecotoxicity is important as this mean’s a safer product for farmers to handle and apply, and less risk to the New Zealand environment. .”

Ferrabait’s patented formulation is powered by ADAMA’s Desidro^® Technology, which enhances its palatability and desirability to slugs and snails. Hamish adds that this also gives bait greater resistance to degradation, and to mould growth, which can negatively impact bait’s attractiveness to slugs. “When you have damp conditions, which is what slugs like, mould is likely to be there. With Ferrabait, you get excellent durability.”

The extruded, uniform Ferrabait pellet provides improved ballistics for uniform distribution in paddocks. Hamish says this is ideal for broadcast application. “The favourable ballistic profile of Ferrabait allows accurate, uniform spreading pattern when applying at wide working widths.”

He says risk factors for slug and snail damage include damp mild weather and seedbed conditions that provided a moist, shaded environments and food for populations to build. Low tillage and direct drilling can also lead to increased slug populations, along with residues from previous crops, organic matter, and weeds in a paddock as they all increase soil moisture retention and provide a source of food for the slugs and snails.

Autumn and spring are key times for slug bait use in establishing pastures or crops. Hamish recommends applying Ferrabait when monitoring indicates slug presence, or when conditions favour their activity (mild, damp weather).

For agricultural or horticultural crops, broadcasting 6-8 kg/ha Ferrabait evenly over the soil surface, or as a band over the row, at or immediately after drilling is recommended. The lower application rate (6 kg/ha) is recommended in low-risk situations while the higher rate (8 kg/ha) is advised in high-risk situations or when monitoring indicates high slug pressure. 

Applications within the recommended rate optimises the number of baiting points (47-62 baits per m²). When combined with Ferrabait’s palatability and desirability formulation this enhances contacts betw/new-zealand/node/786een slugs and bait increasing slug mortality. 

For more information on Ferrabait contact your local ADAMA Commercial Manager or visit adama.com. 

®Ferrabait is a registered trademark of ADAMA Makhteshim Ltd