At this time of year, we are all trying to decide on what the best corn hybrid to plant is going to be. Looking for the highest yield, the best standability and plant health. In the back of your mind, you think - I really should comply with the refuge requirements but I don't want a yield drag. I'll get to that, but first off - here's some reasons why to comply.
1) Populations of Corn Root Worm in the US have developed resistance to the Cry3Bb1 BT gene. A complete article can be found at:
http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0022629
The resistance developed in fields that were consecutively planted to corn at least three years in a row and did not follow refuge requirements. The resistance is not totally unexpected as it could be selected for in laboratory studies, however with compliance to refuge requirements it would have been delayed.
2) European Corn Borer could develop resistance.
http://www.cornpest.ca/index.cfm/bt-corn/resistance-development/resistance-in-ecb/
If every acre of corn in North America was planted to BT corn, it could take as little as 3-5 years for the population of ECB to become resistant.
3) The CFIA is watching. Over the last few years, the compliance to refuge requirements has fallen sharply. The CFIA is performing random audits on Ontario grower's compliance.
So it is not all bad news - you do not have to give up yield to be in compliance. Pioneer is offering a lineup of CFIA approved Optimum Acremax products to suit you needs for ECB. These products are 95% of a leading hybrid with 5% refuge in the bag. For example the optimum Acremax version of 35F40 is 35F50AM-R. This product even with it's 5% refuge has been tested to perform at the same level as pure 35F40. No need to worry about selecting the proper refuge, having enough refuge or where to plant the refuge block. The Optimum Acremax lineup make planning and planting simple and in compliance.
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