Ontario will continue to offer the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) course for corn and soybeans for free until April 30, 2017. The course is now required for anyone to buy and use neonicotinoid-treated corn or soybean seed.
Offered by the University of Guelph Ridgetown Campus, the course covers corn and soybean pest identification, planting best management practices, the new regulatory requirements for Class 12 pesticides, and pollinator protection from neonicotinoid exposure. The course is taught by experienced instructors, many of whom are farmers.
Bryan Brodie, a course instructor, notes that “Everyone in my classes has learned a great deal from this course through the variety of learning activities we use to support the material covered in the manual, and has furthered their understanding of the regulations relating to Class 12 pesticides.”
Courses can be taken as a half-day in-class program, or over two days online where participants enjoy the convenience of learning at their own pace. Upcoming course dates will be posted on www.ipmcertified.ca. Courses will be offered in English and French, both in-class across the province and online.
Source: University of Guelph