As planting season begins across the country, the National Corn Growers Association joins the American Seed Trade Association in reminding farmers to follow five basic steps for stewardship of treated seed:
- Follow Directions: Follow directions on treated seed container labels for handling, storage, planting and disposal practices.
- Eliminate Flowering Weeds: Eliminate flowering plants and weeds in and around the field prior to planting.
- Minimize Dust: Use advanced seed flow lubricants that minimize dust.
- BeeAware: At planting, be aware of honey bees and hives located near the field, and communicate with beekeeper when possible.
- Clean and Remove: Completely clean and remove all treated seed left in containers and equipment used to handle harvested grain and dispose of it properly. Keep all treated seed out of the commodity grain channels.
“Seed treatment technologies are an effective agronomic tool that provide seeds with the necessary protection for a strong, healthy start,” said ASTA President & CEO Andrew W. LaVigne. “It’s important to always follow proper handling procedures to ensure seed treatment solutions result in success for everyone involved and minimize the risk of exposure to non-targeted organisms.”
For more information, visit the newly redesigned seed-treatment-guide.com. The Guide to Seed Treatment Stewardship is a partnership between ASTA, Agricultural Retailers Association, American Farm Bureau Federation, American Soybean Association, CropLife America, National Corn Growers Association and National Cotton Council.
COVID-19 Resources
NCGA is taking a series of actions to do our part to help contain the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) and the economic fallout it is creating for corn farmers and our customers. Short term, this means instituting policies to protect the health and safety of our stakeholders and the broader communities we serve. Long term, we’re focused on creating solutions to help corn farmers and our customers recover from the financial impacts of this crisis.
CommonGround
CommonGround is a group of farmers connecting with consumers through conversations about science and research and personal stories about food and misinformation surrounding farming. Supported by the NCGA and state corn organizations.
SHP
The Soil Health Partnership (SHP) is a farmer-led initiative that fosters transformation in agriculture through improved soil health. Administered by NCGA the partnership has more than 220 working farms enrolled in 16 states. SHP’s mission is to utilize science and data to partner with farmers who are adopting conservation agricultural practices that improve the economic and environmental sustainability of the farm.
