>How do you figure the widespread prophylactic use of neonicotinoids is

> "targeted pest control"?
>

Seed treatment is definitely "targeted," but certainly not integrated pest
management.  I'm currently discussing with Dr Christian Krupke when neonic
seed treatment would be economically justified in integrated pest
management.  Unfortunately, if the seed companies don't give back the
$15-18 dollars per acre that the treatment costs, then there is no economic
justification to not apply it, unless there are other negative
consequences, such as damage to earthworms.

But to continue to treat all seed with any single insecticide year after
year is just plain stupid.  Such unnecessary overuse not only contaminates
the environment, but will rapidly lead to resistant pests, and thus shorten
the effective economic life of that particular insecticide.  The seed
companies are doing a disservice to both the farmers and the environment by
not making this clear to the growers, and providing cheaper untreated seed.

Dr Cynthia Scott-Dupree suggests that growers go back to treating their own
seed, so that they can withhold the insecticide when field sampling of pest
levels does not indicate that it would be of benefit.  This is all about
grower education and market choices.  Obviously, the seed companies aren't
helping.  I'm glad that the PMRA is recognizing the problem.

-- 
Randy Oliver
Grass Valley, CA
www.ScientificBeekeeping.com

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