This week saw the launch of another new version of Roundup called PowerMax. Monsanto’s newest offering is a granule formulation providing double strength (720g/kg), faster activity, increased rainfastness, reduced drift and greater reliability and convenience.

At the official launch of the product earlier this week, Monsanto’s northern European technical manager Barrie Hunt, stated that the new 720g/kg, Roundup PowerMax, contains twice as much glyphosate concentrate as traditional 360g formulations.

A combination of improved efficiency features helps to produce faster and more reliable burndown of weedy pastures and more effective desiccation of oilseed rape and cereal crops, Hunt said.

ADVERTISEMENT

Another feature of the new formulation is that it is more robust, with claims that it can cope much better with the control of difficult weeds under hot, dry and cold conditions. It can also cope better with hard water sources for spraying, which can be an issue in many parts of the country.

The combined formulation package gives the new formulation a completely hazard-free ‘‘clean’’ label under the new European CLP regulations for 2015. The high solubility dry formulation also provides advantages in handling, transport, storage and packaging disposal as an empty plastic bag container is not regarded as hazardous waste for disposal purposes.

“Its combination of characteristics makes it easy to use and handle,” according to Monsanto’s Patrick O’Reilly. “A 10kg bag replaces 20 litres of traditional 360g glyphosate, which means less weight and fewer packs to handle, transport and store,” O’Reilly said.