Reduced refuge still requires responsible stewardship
Complying with Insect Resistance Management (IRM) guidelines helps ensure the long-term efficacy of SmartStax™ technology. Growers have many refuge options when planting Mycogen® SmartStax hybrids — depending on where SmartStax hybrids are planted and the pest pressure in those regions.
This chart outlines the reduced refuge requirements when planting SmartStax hybrids. Use our refuge calculator to see how the reduced refuge requirements will impact your yields.
| Region | States | Refuge Size | In-field or Adjacent Refuge |
|---|---|---|---|
Pacific Northwest, Mountain and Northeast states |
OR, WA, ID, MT, WY, UT, CO, OK, VA, WV, PA, MD, DE, CT, RI, NJ, NY, ME, MA, NH, VT, HI, AK |
5% non-Bt corn |
Yes |
Midwest and Plains states |
KS, NE, SD, ND, MN, IA, MO, IL, WI, MI, IN, OH, KY |
5% non-Bt corn |
Yes |
Southern Cotton Belt |
NC, SC, GA, FL, TN, AL, MS, LA, AR, Northern TX |
20% non-Bt corn |
Yes |
Southern Cotton Belt |
Southern TX |
20% non-Bt corn |
Yes |
Western Cotton Belt |
NM, AZ, CA, NV |
5% non-Bt corn |
Yes |
In addition to following the guidelines, growers must sign a Grower Agreement. This contract states that you understand and will comply with all IRM guidelines and must be signed before SmartStax corn is purchased or delivered.
In-field or adjacent refuge [back to top]
If corn rootworms (CRW) are significant within a region, the structured refuge must be planted as an in-field or adjacent refuge using corn hybrids that do not contain Bt technologies for the control of corn borers or corn rootworms. This means:
- The refuge can be planted as a block within or adjacent (e.g., across the road) to the Mycogen SmartStax hybrids, perimeter strips (i.e., strips around the field), or in-field strips. If perimeter or in-field strips are implemented, the strips must be at least four consecutive rows wide.
Insect protection in refuge acres [back to top]
- The refuge can be protected from lepidopteran damage with non-Bt insecticides if the population of one or more target lepidopteran pests of Mycogen SmartStax hybrids in the refuge exceed economic thresholds.
- In addition, the refuge can be protected from CRW damage by an appropriate seed treatment or soil insecticide; however, insecticides labeled for adult CRW control should be avoided in the refuge during the period of CRW adult emergence.
- Economic thresholds will be determined using methods recommended by local or regional professionals (e.g., Extension Service agents, crop consultants).
Respect the Refuge [back to top]
Stacked Bt trait products that contain corn rootworm and corn borer resistance genes require unique insect resistance management by farmers.
Plant the refuge in the same field as the Bt traits to help meet distance requirements for both corn borer and corn rootworm refuges. Know the minimum required refuge size for your geography and Bt trait.
Always consult your trait provider’s technical guides before planting or go to http://ncga.adayana.com/ for more information.
Know Before You Grow® [back to top]
We suggest that you consult the National Corn Growers Association’s Know Before You Grow site to learn more about your grain corn channeling options.
IRM Tip Line [back to top]
Bt corn seed companies are required by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to establish a system to collect information about alleged instances of noncompliance with IRM requirements. Dow AgroSciences has established a toll-free IRM Tips & Complaints phone line, which is 1-877-4-TRAITS (1-877-487-2487)
