Published: December 05, 2007 09:30 am            

Refuge acreage requirements designed to protect future

Originally published in the November 30, 2007, print edition.

For the most part farmers are doing a good job on refuge acre requirements, according to Richard Kohl of Montevideo, a former University of Minnesota Extension educator who was hired to do field interviews in July and August with producers. Kohl’s territory was several southwest Minnesota counties.

Refuge corn refers to seed that does not carry the Bt gene for corn borer resistance.

“Out of the 35 interviews, two had forgotten about their refuge acres. But percentages were higher elsewhere,” Kohl said, reporting that an often-heard comment was “... my neighbor is doing it so I don’t have to.”

He advised that the refuge program is good for everyone and vital to the continued acceptance by the Environmental Protection Agency of these minimal requirements.

Referred to as the 80-20 rule, it requires that 20 percent of a producer’s total corn acres be planted to non-Bt seed as a means of preventing the corn borer from developing a natural resistance to this particular trait technology.

Kohl said producers need to be reminded, and seed salesmen are the people who need to do the reminding. “This is so important that I think the seed sales person needs to hammer this message home to his customers.”

He noted that if a particular seed dealer has not sold “refuge” corn to his customer he should ask that producer if he is getting his refuge seed corn elsewhere. Seed dealers will be affected even more than farmers if the EPA applies a chokehold on seed corn sales because of lack of compliance.

It’s easy to make a mistake. In both errors he uncovered, neither producer was deliberately trying to avoid the 20 percent refuge requirement.

“The one farmer thought he had bought the correct seed but when we checked with his seed dealer, we found out that wasn’t the case,” Kohl said.

These farm interviews are not a total surprise. Farmers are notified by mail that they have been selected for an interview, so they have some time to collect their records of seed purchases prior to the on-farm visit.

“Then we do the farm interview; we call ahead letting them know we’re coming. Some need to check with their seed dealer to verify their purchase of refuge seed. In a few situations I talked with the seed dealer, too, because it’s easy to get confused on the 80-20 refuge requirements, especially by older farmers who simply don’t always remember the why and how of some of this EPA stuff,” Kohl said.

If a given producer is found not in compliance, Monsanto sends a letter to the producer informing him that he will be checked again. If he is again found out of compliance he will no longer be able to buy that particular product.

Kohl said the seed industry, individual seed dealers and farmers themselves need to fully understand the potential EPA consequences if abuse continues.

“EPA certainly has the capability of making the system much more accountable, even to the extent of removal of this particular trait. Resorting to the use of insecticides to control European corn borer would be tremendously costly both in economic and environmental impact.”

All seed companies provide through their dealer network an Insect Resistance Management plan, which provides guidelines for use of technology products. In plain language, seed companies simply say it is their obligation to follow the IRM plan in order to make sure this technology continues.

Monsanto IRM language reads: “Before opening a bag of seed, be sure to read and understand the stewardship requirements, including applicable refuge requirements for insect resistance management, for the biotechnology traits expressed in the seed as set forth in the Monsanto Technology Agreement that you sign.

“By opening and using a bag of seed, you are reaffirming your obligation to comply with those stewardship requirements.”

        

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