Published on 06/08/2025
Words: Arxada
Cereal (wheat, barley and oats) production encompasses a vast area in New Zealand and its quality is important for human and animal consumption.
Arxada has a great range of products catering to all things weed control when it comes to producing yield.
Saxon is a market staple and has been used by farmers for many years.
Containing 200 g/litre mecoprop-p,200 g/litre MCPA and 70 g/litre fluroxypyr, formulated as a liquid emulsifiable concentrate, there aren’t many troublesome broadleaf weeds it doesn’t get.
With a flexible use period of two leaf stage (growth stage 12) to first nodule (growth stage 31), at a rate of 2-3 litres per hectare, it’s also a cost-effective option.
Saxon is also tank mix compatible with a range of commonly used cereal insecticides, herbicides and fungicides.
Quantum is no stranger for use in cereals. Containing 500 g/litre diflufenican in the form of a liquid suspension concentrate, it is a common tank mix partner with other cereal herbicides to increase efficacy and broaden weed spectrum.
Often used with products like Twister, chlorsulfuron based products and Saxon; specifically, where weeds like staggerweed and speedwell are known issues.
At a use rate of 200 ml per hectare at similar timings to Saxon, a small amount goes a long way for this added weed control.
Quantum is best used as a tank partner, rather than a stand-alone application.
Quantum also has an extended pea crop claim and is compatible with pea herbicide options. This means it is safe over peas that might be under sown into cereal crops.
Jive is a more recent addition to the Arxada cereal portfolio for use over wheat and barley to control several specific grassweed species.
Containing 70.5 g/litre fenoxaprop-P-ethyl plus an additional safener, Jive uses Arxada’s patented Oleo technology as an adjuvant ready formulation, so no additional oil is required.
The Oleo technology means that every droplet of spray volume has the desired amount of active ingredient, oil, and water delivered to the target, ensuring the best result from the application.
Jive targets hard to kill grass species in cereals like wild oats, lesser canary grass (Phalaris minor), summer grass, barnyard grass, and rough bristle grass.
In addition to this, Jive is also registered for use in pasture and turf for the weeds listed above, plus yellow bristle grass.
Jive is used at 750 ml per hectare and should be used on its own, five days either side of other weed control products. It is compatible with plant growth regulators.
Headstart, a commonly used pasture and herb broadleaf product, also has additional label claims for use in wheat and barley.
Containing 50 g/litre flumetsulam with Arxada’s Oleo technology, it boasts the same characteristics for application and efficacy as listed above for Jive, pertaining to its formulation and delivery to its target.
At a use rate of 1litre per hectare, it can be used any time after sowing until tillering for an extensive range of broadleaf weed control.
When Headstart is used, minor straw shortening and discolouration can occur, which is normal, and the crop will recover under good growing conditions.
This product is also compatible with MCPA based products, Hussar and Firebird.
Twister, another cereal product in Arxada’s stable, is a 500 g/litre isoproturon based liquid suspension concentrate for broadleaf weed control in wheat and winter sown barley. It also has claims against wild oats and ryegrass seedlings.
At a rate of 2 to 3 litres per hectare, it is applied early post-emerge before the first node appears, when weeds are small.
Quantum is again another common tank mix partner here to extend the weed spectrum.
Twister is also compatible with bromoxynil, mecoprop, and chlorsulfuron based products.
As always, please consult the label or your local territory manager for more information pertaining to tank mixing and application.
More details for these products can be found on our website arxada.co.nz and is available from your regular farm supplies merchant.