Navigate Crop Protection - Market-Safe Pesticide Use

By: Farms.com  

Keeping it clean reminds farmers of the crucial balance between disease management and maintaining market access. As we approach the 2024 growing season, it's essential to select crop protection products wisely to safeguard your crops and their marketability. 

Choosing the right seed plays a pivotal role in managing disease pressures efficiently. Yet, the use of pesticides requires careful consideration. Only those registered for use on your crop in Canada and free of trade concerns should make it into your growing plan. 

Before you decide on your pesticide applications this season, think about the market implications. Our annual Product Advisory, released this spring, offers a comprehensive overview of crop protection products, highlighting those with potential market risks.  

Some products might limit your marketing options due to misaligned maximum residue limits (MRLs) or buyer reservations in key export destinations. 

Communication with your grain buyer is crucial to ensure the acceptability of your chosen pesticides to both domestic and export markets. Understanding these restrictions allows growers to mitigate risks effectively, keeping product residues within the bounds of regulatory MRLs. 

This strategy is more than just compliance; it's about protecting your investment and ensuring your crops remain market ready. With diseases like Fusarium Head Blight (FHB) threatening cereal grains, managing disease pressures is vital.  

Through strategic pesticide use and adherence to recommended practices, growers can limit FHB's spread and severity, securing their market positions. 

Managing disease pressures is part of Keep it Clean's tips to help growers keep your crops ready for market. By limiting the spread and severity of FHB in the field, you can protect your investment and help keep marketing options open for cereal grains.