St. Louis, Missouri
November 19, 2007
As the 2007 corn harvest winds
down, growers are looking ahead to the 2008 season and making
plans for seed purchases and planting. The
National Corn Growers Association
(NCGA) reminds U.S. biotech corn growers that the development of
an Insect Resistance Management (IRM) plan is an essential and
required part of their 2008 planning process.
Planting a biotech corn refuge helps decrease the natural
selection pressures that can lead to insect resistance. These
refuge acres ensure that rare resistant insects that feed on
insect-protected varieties of corn will mate with susceptible
insects and slow the development of resistance. Leading
scientists agree the resistance threat is real and planting a
proper refuge will help ensure the longevity of the current
products available. Loss of the technology to resistance could
cost U.S. farmers billions of dollars through yield reduction
and increased pesticide use.
“Since the introduction of biotech traits, the vast majority of
corn growers have taken the appropriate measures and planted
refuge acreage in order to protect the efficacy of this
important technology,” said Martin Barbre, chairman of the
NCGA’s Biotechnology Working Group and a grower from Carmi, Ill.
“As the popularity and yield benefits from the use of these
technologies increases, it is more important than ever for
farmers to follow the refuge requirements.”
To prevent or delay resistance development to biotech crops,
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) registrations require at
least a 20 percent refuge for current biotech corn borer and
corn rootworm traits in northern states. In southern states,
where both biotech cotton and corn are planted, the EPA requires
at least a 50 percent refuge for corn borers.
Protecting Technology for Today and Tomorrow
In addition to protecting current technology, adherence to
refuge requirements is important for the commercialization of
next generation biotech traits. Regulatory officials and trait
providers are closely watching corn growers’ adoption and use of
current traits. This track record will be reviewed as regulators
determine refuge size, planting flexibility and other
authorizations for future technology products. Furthermore,
future traits that build on today’s technology will only be
fully successful if today’s technology remains effective.
Thousands of growers are randomly surveyed about their IRM
compliance practices each year through EPA mandated on-farm
assessments and phone surveys. Under the EPA program, growers
who do not comply with refuge requirements can lose access to
the technology. Similarly, seed dealers who do not follow
through on their commitments stand to lose their ability to sell
the products.
Resources Available to Assist Corn Growers
NCGA and trait providers have established a number of resources
for growers developing IRM plans and a refuge strategy for their
farm. Seed companies provide information about refuge
requirements, and the NCGA offers the IRM Learning Center, an
interactive tutorial available on its web site at
http://www.ncga.com/biotechnology/main/index.asp.
In addition, seed company representatives and dealers will be
able to work with growers to develop an IRM plan that meets the
individual needs of each grower and field.
“Plan your refuge this fall while you are placing your 2008 seed
order to ensure access to refuge hybrids that complement the
biotech hybrids you will plant,” Barbre said. “There are a
number of options available to protecting refuge against insect
pests, including field placement, seed treatments and
soil-applied insecticides.”
Strong Track Record of Adherence
Growers have demonstrated a strong commitment to protecting
biotechnology by adhering to the IRM requirements. On-farm
assessments and a series of independent surveys will be
conducted again this year on behalf of the Agricultural
Biotechnology Stewardship Technical Committee (ABSTC). The
ABSTC, which consists of biotech corn registrants, has monitored
adherence to the IRM requirements since 1999 to help ensure
biotech corn technology remains effective against pests and is
readily available to all growers.
The ABSTC includes biotech corn registrants Dow AgroSciences;
Monsanto Company; Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., a
subsidiary of DuPont; and Syngenta Seeds, Inc. They have worked
with a number of stakeholder groups such as the NCGA, the
Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO), seed companies and
universities since 1999 to promote farmer compliance with refuge
requirements for biotech corn. For additional information on
biotechnology, visit www.ncga.com.
The National Corn Growers Association’s mission is to create
and increase opportunities for corn growers. NCGA represents
more than 33,000 members and 48 affiliated state organizations
and hundreds of thousands of growers who contribute to state
checkoff programs. For more information on NCGA, log on to
www.ncga.com. |
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