FMC introduces its revolutionary herbicide Overwatch® to Australia market

 

The innovative pre-emergent herbicide promises to have outstanding control over annual ryegrass - one of the bigger pain points for Australian farmers – and it has proven to be effective against weeds such as silvergrass, bifora, sowthistle, hogweed and lesser loosestrife, making it an excellent fit in many paddocks. 

 

Another aspect that makes the product truly unique in the Australian broadacre market is that it is the only isoxazolidinone herbicide that can used for three key winter crops - wheat, barley and canola – providing farmers with more flexibility for crop rotations.  

 

Overwatch® Herbicide also has long-lasting residual control, making it very effective on later germinating weeds, with up to 12 weeks control of a wide range of weeds.  

 

“The registration for Overwatch® Herbicide is very timely as many of the weed species in Australia are developing resistance to commonly used herbicides. Overwatch® Herbicide will give growers a new and important tool to control weeds that are no longer susceptible to other herbicides,” said Kristina Hermanson, Managing Director of FMC Australia. 

 

“FMC has been consistently impressed with the very high standards within the regulatory review and approval process, and we want to acknowledge and thank the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) for the professionalism and preparedness of the case team, as well as an ahead-of-anticipated schedule approval,” continued Ms. Hermanson. 

 

FMC’s new mode of action herbicide, which has been extensively trialled over many seasons across a wide range of locations and conditions, has growers and agronomists taking notice as the ryegrass germinates and turns a bright magenta colour before perishing. 

 

“Overwatch® Herbicide works by inhibiting the production of carotenoids in susceptible weeds,” said Hugh Palmer, FMC’s Herbicide Portfolio Manager. “This, in turn, affects the weed's ability to produce energy through normal photosynthetic pathways. While the crop is able to metabolise the herbicide, the susceptible weeds use up available energy from the seed and then die.”