Herbicide trifluralin in short supply in Australia

Date:04-26-2011

One of the world's most widely used herbicides, trifluralin is in short supply in Australia. trifluralin controls weeds like rye grass.

With a good harvest and more farmers putting in bigger crops, manufacturers are struggling to keep up with demand.

South Australian agronomist Denis Pedler says many farmers didn't make a decision on herbicides until later than usual because harvest was so drawn out.

"Given that we have had record yields that can change your crop rotations, wheat is making more money than anything else and so you might decide to plant more wheat next year."

"And that is going to use more trifluralin and that does change things, but a lot of guys didn't finish harvest until January/February so you know all of a sudden that four or five months lead time is well and truly passed," he said.