02/26/08 Valent introduces Belay insecticide for spuds

Farm and Ranch February 26, 2008 Valent U.S.A. has a new insecticide available this season for potato growers. It is called Belay. Welch: "Belay provides outstanding control of aphid, leafhopper and Colorado potato beetle, the three major insect pests in Pacific Northwest potatoes." That's Len Welch, Valent field market development specialist. He says Belay is a third-generation neonicotinoid. Welch: "It has some features that are unique from the other neonicotinoids primarily it is was of the longest lasting neonicotinoids in the soil. It is very insoluble. It has no groundwater advisories on the label. Because it has low water solubility it is available in the root zone longer for uptake in the plant and for control of foliar pests such as aphid and Colorado potato beetle." Welch says it is pretty much season long protection. Welch: "In trials that we have conducted here in the northwest control goes out in excess of 90 days very consistently." Belay comes in two formulations, water soluble granule for application in furrow at planting or a 50 percent water dispersible granule for foliar application. I'm Bob Hoff and that's the Northwest Farm and Ranch Report on the Northwest Ag Information Network.