Bayer has announced the end of sales date for its Escolta, as well as all sprays containing cyproconazole, used in sugar beet to tackle rust and powdery mildew.
Growers have until the 30th November 2021 to purchase the required volumes for the 2022 season, with a 12-month use-up period following. This means that all cyproconazole containing products must be used before the end of November 2022.
The deadline follows the Chemical Regulation Directorate’s announcement in 2020, that November 2021 would be the last date for sales of cyproconazole containing products.
Cyproconazole, which along with trifloxystrobin, form Bayer’s broad-spectrum sugar beet fungicide, Escolta. It is also available with penthiopyrad for use in oats and with azoxystrobin for use in certain cereals, oilseed rape and beet crops.
The news will likely disappoint growers, given the chemical’s role in protecting against rust and powdery mildew.
“Escolta remains the best performing fungicide available for protecting crops against the dominant disease threats, powdery mildew and rust, as well as providing strong control of Cercospora leaf spot,” said Lizzie Carr-Archer, root crop product manager for Bayer.
“Growers have until 30th November 2022 to use up or dispose of all stocks of Escolta and other products containing cyproconazole so should calculate their requirements carefully to avoid being left with unused stock to be disposed of after the 2022 season,” added Mrs Carr-Archer.
The company has been working on a replacement product for many years and hopes to receive authorisation for Caligula (fluopyram and prothioconazole) ahead of the 2022 season.