Hi there and welcome to the Villa Botcast. You're on the go audio hub for smarter crop protection. Quick heads up before we jump in. This episode is voiced by AI for speed and accessibility, but every insight you hear was crafted by real experts at Villa. That means you get reliable, expert backed information anytime, anywhere.
Today, we're focusing on one of the most powerful adjuvants in our portfolio: Class Act NG. Let's begin with the basics. Class Act NG is an adjuvant, which means it's not a crop protection product on its own, but rather a tank mix partner that enhances the performance of other products. Specifically, it's been designed for use with water-sensitive herbicides such as glyphosate and any products that require either a surfactant, ammonium sulfate, or both.
Now, from a formulation perspective, Class Act NG contains 480g/l of ammonium sulfate combined with the non-ionic surfactant specifically, an alkyl polyglycoside. However, what sets it apart is its inclusion of CornSorb technology, which gives it superior humectant properties. That means it extends droplet drying time so the herbicide stays wet for longer, allowing for faster and more complete absorption.
Let's break that down. If you're spraying glyphosate in areas with hard or brackish water, the presence of dissolved salts like calcium, magnesium, sodium, or potassium can interfere with glyphosate’s effectiveness. That's called salt antagonism. The ammonium sulfate in Class Act NG neutralizes these ions, improving the performance of glyphosate. Meanwhile, the surfactant helps the spray wet and spread more evenly on leaf surfaces, especially difficult ones like waxy or hairy weeds.
Combined with the humectant effect, the result is quicker uptake and stronger control. So how should it be used? According to the label, Class Act NG should be applied at a concentration of 1 to 2 litres per 100 litres of spray solution. If you're dealing with hard water or targeting tough-to-control weeds, the higher dose—two litres per 100 litres—is recommended.
The product is fully compatible with a wide range of glyphosate formulations, including many on the South African market like Panga, Slash, Glygran and Roundup PowerMax, among others. When preparing your tank mix, Class Act NG should be added first before the herbicide. This is important for compatibility and mixing stability. Also, once mixed, the spray solution should be applied promptly and not left standing in the tank for extended periods.
Since the product contains surfactant and AMS, it's corrosive to metal parts, so a thorough rinsing of the spray equipment after use is essential. It's also worth noting that Class Act NG is not meant to be used with every herbicide by default. It's intended for use with products that explicitly recommend a surfactant and/or AMS, so always consult the label of the primary herbicide first.
And if you're ever unsure, reach out to your representative or agronomist for guidance. Now let's talk about results. In replicated trials, Class Act NG has been shown to not only enhance glyphosate performance, but also improve rainfastness. That is, how soon after application the product can tolerate rainfall without washing off. This is critical in unpredictable weather conditions. By improving absorption rate and ensuring more herbicide reaches the target site inside the weed, Class Act NG helps deliver more consistent and robust control, even on problem weeds.
To wrap up, Class Act NG is not just a helper product, it's a performance optimizer. It's designed to bring out the best in glyphosate and similar herbicides. But like all good tools, it must be used correctly. Follow the label. Measure your water quality and choose your dosage with intention. If you'd like more technical details, feel free to download the full label from villacrop.co.za or contact your nearest Villa representative.
Class Act NG is a registered product of Winfield Solutions Registration Holdings under Act 36 of 1947. L number 10477. Always read the label before use. Thanks for listening to the Villa Botcast — powered by AI, driven by insight.
