Neonicotinoid seed treatments

[gil.gullickson]

All,

Thanks for your feedback on this article. My guess is the national meeting for agricultural entomologists this year will be an interesting one! It seems like the southern folks are sticking to their guns that widespread neonicotinoid seed treatments consistently show around a 2 bu yield increase in soybeans.

I had another piece I turned in yesterday by a freelance that isn't through out system yet, but will be in a few weeks that talked about these seed treatments. When it comes to aphid management, this entomolgist thinks the most promising way to manage them are through resistant varieites. Evidently, there's been quite a bit of work done on them since I looked at them.

I don't think this neonicotinoid scrutiny is going away. Both Syngenta and Bayer really stress proper handing of seed to prevent dustoff. Bayer has develped a Fluency Agent to help cut the dustoff. There are lots of other things going on with bee deaths, though, mainly the varroa mite that's really a problem in decimating bee populations.  I think the suspension in Europe of these products is something they don't want happening in the U.S. 

Thanks again,

Gil Gullickson 

[ECIN]

I think the suspension in Europe of these products is something they don't want happening in the U.S.

Gil ole buddy - You hit the nail on the head there !  How many billions - do they stand to lose , IF they were to band it here too ?  Its not about bee health to the big companies - its dollars and cents that matter .

[idalivered]

Seed treatments of all types are just good business. (custom work +markup on product) There is alot of $ riding on the sales and service. Ask the places that do it how many $per hour he can make treating seed??   Whether it is a  legitimate product or some magical yield enhancer. Seed treaters and the equipment to do it are a very substantial investment, but also a very , very good profit center. Good for the guys doing it, they are earning it.