Grain storage and rodents feature at Cereals 2012 event

Arable farmers were out in force at Cereals 2012, along with representatives from the pest control industry. This years event was held at Boothby Graffoe near Lincoln on 13 & 14 June 2012.

Over 27,000 visitors attend this two-day event held on a 64ha site with nearly 500 exhibitors. Aimed at the arable section of the agricultural industry (as separate events are held for other sectors, such as pigs, poultry, cattle etc) the scale, technology and money invested within this industry is impressive.

But, over the years the presence of pest control activities has increased, due to a large extent, to the increased interest now shown by farmers as a result of the pest free requirements now dictated by the Farm Assurance scheme for the storage of grain.

Now is the time to treat grain stores
With this in mind, the importance of a robust grain store preparation programme featured on the Bayer stand. Their new technical manager, Dorin Pop, explained: “The recent mild winter suggests that we’re going to get even more insect pests in general this year. This also follows a very good insect breeding season last summer that served to increase pest population levels.”

With grain stores currently empty, and following thorough cleaning, treatment with an insecticide, such as K-Obiol EC-25 provides a valuable added defence against insect attack.

This message was also echoed on the Lodi stand, who also supplies K-Obiol to the farmer market.

Available on the HGCA stand were copies of their recently revised 28-page booklet covering all aspects of grain storage. Now into its third edition, this comprehensive guide has been updated and incorporates a basic HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point) approach to store management – an approach new to farmers.

Call a professional
For those farmers looking for a professional pest control company to take care of these requirements, Suffolk-based Command Pest Control had a stand.

Covering the heart of the East of England’s cereal growing area, nearly 60% of this company’s business comes from the agricultural sector – see Pest profile – click here.

Launched in time for this event, is a new rodent control user guide and log book from Bayer and features the use of their Rodilon rodenticides.

Watch-out as this will surely be coming to the PCO market shortly.

Remote controlled rats!
Barrettine Environmental Health were also present, supporting their range of products sold via selected distributors to the farmer market.

Causing much amusement on their stand was a remote controlled rat – this you were required to navigate around what appeared to be a very simple course. But don’t believe that! All likelihood is its batteries will be recharged for a guest appearance at PestTech.

No grain pests
A clear and straight-forward
serious message

Yet still some fun!
A Lodi skittles challenge
in aid of the Addington Fund

Barrettine remote rat
Have a go … a remote
controlled rat at Barrettine ES!

Ken Black, Bayer”s national account manager for rural hygiene, shows-off the new rodenticide guide…		…and this farmer gets to grips with grain storage with the aid of the HGCA boklet
The Command team. Left to right: managing director, Mark Ward, with Simon Wills, Pest associate editor, Helen Riby and Ivan Ambrose