Wheat and barley growers now have access to the most adaptable Group 27 product on the market, thanks to BASF’s new and improved Frequency herbicide that offers excellent control of hard to manage broadleaf weeds such as fleabane, sowthistle, buckwheat/bindweed, wireweed, wild radish, bifora and capeweed.

So says Andrew Gourlay – BASF’s head of broadacre Australia who knows the product well. Initially launched in 2020, he said the improved Frequency formulation has a consistency of texture that allows for better pouring.

“The herbicide offers growers a new dimension to selective weed control as it is not locked into partner chemistry. In addition, the Frequency label allows growers the choice of the main tank-mix partner and application rates so the spray solution can be tailored to the weed spectrum and size.

“When we introduced Frequency in 2020, growers immediately valued the product due to its flexibility. Shortly after the launch we received some field reports of Frequency having a thickened appearance when the product was being poured out of the drum.

“As BASF strives to maintain the highest-quality standards, we took the decision to suspend the product roll out until the formulation has been refined by our global formulation chemist to meet local conditions, and achieve the consistency expected by Australia’s customers.

“As such, we’re thrilled to return Frequency to the market, as we’ve had growers contact us consistently over the past three years eager to get their hands on more of it.”

In addition to the flexibility to dial up tank-mix partners’ rates, Mr Gourlay said Frequency also supports the bonus reduction of wild oats seed-set where Avena sterilis is dominant in the population in northern NSW and Queensland.

“It’s fantastic to be able to offer growers a novel mode of action in controlling wild oats, particularly in areas where they are a consistent problem.”

The improved Frequency will be available from April 2023.