flea beetles

[nicolaas]

Anyone out there spraying for flea beetles in their canola yet? We had to buy the seed treatment with our canola (this seed variety only comes with ONE type of treatment)and we are spraying close to 1000 acres anyways. Worse yet, we have to use thier chemical. Some good strong stands look good one day, come back few days later, and everythings chewed on, and some are wiped out. No back to back seeding of canola either. Haven't even finished seeding, and now have to babysit the canola crops that are SUPPOSED to be protected. Something really stinks with this situation, would be nice if we could get seed treatment that works. Some body is making alot of money, but I know I won't be. Anyone out their in the same boat?

[needham]

We have had some trouble at times, and since we have used Helix and had trouble the company has paid for the spray.

[cris]

It really made me angry when invigor could not be ordered with Helix. Finally got a product that actually worked, then Bayer decides not to offer it on the new series. They want us wrapped up completely in their program not what is best for us, It will eventually catch up to them!!!

[ALLFARMER]

My invigor was treated with helix last year and I ended up with flea beetles. I sprayed & had no trouble getting the chemical bill paid for.

[nicolaas]

Why are we paying $1 a pound for treatment even if we have to spray? I'd like to see some side by side trial results of treated (various types) and untreated, and the actual flea beetle density on these trial sites. I bet there would be no difference. Big hairy deal if they cover 50 - 100% of the chemical cost, if you get it custom done you spend $10.00 to save $2-4$. It seems to me that if you got flea beetles, you have to spray, and if you don't you assume the product is working. Right now you cannot seem to buy the high production RR types without being treated. It may be cheaper for us to be able to buy bare seed and then just spray if required. Seems to be some people are spraying even the treated fields anyways if the flea beetle's are causing damage

[needham]

A few years ago I contacted the Helix company to find out where to get the product and treat myself. It was avaible then. When it came time that I was going to treat my RR Canola, [I was purchasing the seed with no treatment], it was not avaible and was told that it would be not avaible on the market to customers except through seed distributors on the seed. It makes me wonder it Helix was stopped by some seed company so they could keep it for them selves

[les]

my guess it was stopped so people couldnt clean thier own seed and treat it.

[ALLFARMER]

Lots of BinVigor went in around here this year!

[silverback]

What is the real story on reseeding Invigor canola? Is it as variable as the company claims it will be??

[JACKFLASH]

The days of lindane and counter are gone. How I wish we have had them yet.
We have been vigourously spraying flea beetles since their demise.
I don't like the new options Helix, Prosper, and Gaucho. Although the latter does seem to work better.
Helix seems to be the product of choice. The flea beetles have to bite the plant to die, this is fine in light infestations, but I have never seen light beetles. When you get into a heavy flush, the plant can't keep up,and these heavy infestations always seem to come at the end of the products life.
Now Syngenta says the treatment lasts 14-21 days after emergence. It's more like 14-21 days after you put the seed in the ground.

[nicolaas]

I ended up spraying every field of canola I got. Beautiful growing conditions, and still had to spray. First year in about 5 where we had timely rains and hot weather, so I now know that the weather is not to blame for the bugs. I agree with the previous post that the stuff we used to use actually worked. I cannot remember having this much trouble in optimum growing conditions as I am having now. Now you spray, kill the bugs, the crop just takes off, while prior to it just sits there, getting chewed on. Why did we get get rid of the old treatments? Was it a trade issue with the Americans? Seems this new stuff is just expensive food coloring.