Planting Golden Acres Genuity™ VT Triple PRO™ allows for refuge reduction

New for 2010!  In fields planted with any of our new Genuity™ VT Triple PRO™ hybrids, you can reduce your refuge acres to 20 percent. The dual modes of insect control provided by Genuity™ VT Triple PRO™ against targeted above-ground insects reduce the likelihood of insects developing resistance to it. This means enhanced durability and allows for the refuge reduction for corn farmers in cotton-growing areas.

Common Refuge
% Non-B.t. Refuge: The refuge area must represent at least 20 percent of the farmer’s corn acres (Genuity™ VT Triple PRO™ plus refuge acres)
Refuge planting: Refuge must be planted with corn hybrids that do not contain B.t. technologies. The refuge can be planted with Roundup Ready Corn 2 or conventional corn.
Refuge location: The refuge can be within or adjacent to the Genuity™ VT Triple PRO™ field. If adjacent, it can be separated by a road, path, ditch, etc., but not by another field.
Refuge configuration options: Refuge can be planted as a block, strips with the field or as a perimeter around the field. See refuge configuration options on page 14.
Size: If perimeter or strips are used for the refuge, the strips must be at least four consecutive rows wide.
Control target: Serves as a refuge for both corn borer and corn rootworm. The common refuge offers convenience by combining the corn borer and corn rootworm refuges into one effective corn refuge.
Treatment: The common refuge can be treated with a soil-applied, seed-applied or foliar-applied insecticide to control rootworm larvae and other soil pests.

The refuge can also be treated with a non-B.t. foliar-applied insecticide for control of late-season pests (i.e. corn borer), if pest
pressure reaches an economic threshold for damage. However, if rootworm adults are present at the time of foliar application,
then the Genuity™ VT Triple PRO™ field must be treated in a similar manner.

For information on Separate Refuge Requirements or if you have other questions, ask your Golden Acres representative, or consult the IRM Guide.

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First generation B.t. hybrids still require 50 percent refuge in cotton growing areas

If you are planting a hybrid(s) other than our new Genuity™ VT Triple PRO™ corn hybrids, you are still required to plant a 50 percent
refuge.  The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires that growers plant a refuge as part of an Insect Resistance Management (IRM) plan when they use B.t. hybrids.

The refuge, which must contain a similar non-B.t. hybrid as to the rest of the field, is important because it helps prevent insects like corn borers and rootworms from becoming resistant to the biotech trait in the B.t. hybrid. Technology suppliers that receive approval from the EPA monitor compliance of refuge requirements by using different forms of auditing, whether by phone or personal visits. During an audit, technology suppliers assess a grower’s adherence to the required refuge size, distance and treatment requirements. In-person audits typically require seed invoices or field examinations.

Growers who are out of compliance may be penalized.

Refuge requirements vary by product and planting location. See the IRM Guide for more information, or ask your Golden Acres representative if you have questions.

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