As of July 1, 2015, regulatory amendments under the Pesticides Act and Ontario Regulation 63/09 (O. Reg. 63/09) are in effect to reduce the impact that neonicotinoid insecticides have on pollinator health. The regulation includes a new class of pesticides for corn and soybean seeds treated with imidacloprid, thiamethoxam and clothianidin (referred to as Class 12 pesticides).
For fall of 2015 to order seed for 2016
If intending to plant 50 per cent or less of the total area of where corn or soybeans are planted, you will not have to conduct a pest assessment. Instead, fill out the Seed Amount Declaration, indicating where the Class 12 seed will be planted and provide it to your seed representative(s) or seed vendor(s) at the time of seed order.
If intending to plant more than 50 per cent of the total area of where corn or soybeans are planted, then a soil inspection pest assessment is required prior to ordering Class 12 corn or soybean seed. If the soil inspection pest assessment meets threshold, bring a completed Inspection of Soil - Pest Assessment Report to your seed representative(s) or seed vendor(s) at the time of seed order.
Planning ahead for 2017 growing season and beyond
If intending to plant any neonic-treated corn or soybean seed (Class 12 pesticide) in 2017 and beyond, then a pest assessment is required each year prior to seed order. If the pest assessment meets threshold, bring a completed pest assessment report to your seed representative(s) or seed vendor(s) to the time of seed order. A pest assessment report can be used for the purchase of neonic-treated seed as long as the assessment was conducted within the 12-month period prior to the sale or transfer of the seed.
Pest Assessments
There are two different pest assessment methods; 1) Soil Inspection or 2) Crop Inspection. One of these pest assessments must be completed each year to purchase Class 12 treated seed.
Thresholds for use of a Class 12 pesticide
Soil Inspection Thresholds
The threshold for wireworms to purchase and use (plant) NNI corn or soybean seed treatment (Class 12 pesticide) is an average of 1 wireworm averaged over 5 scouting locations.
The threshold for grubs to purchase and use (plant) NNI corn or soybean seed treatment (Class 12) is an average of 2 grubs averaged over 5 scouting locations.
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