Ontario Grain Farmer Handling treated seed Tips to keep it out of your grain shipments “Grains or oilseeds contaminated with treated seed or other foreign material put domestic and export grain markets at risk,” says Dana Dickerson, Grain Farmers of Ontario’s director of market development and sustainability. “Farmer-members need to ensure that they have the necessary protocols in place to ensure that treated seed does not end up in grain elevator shipments.” WHY IT’S IMPORTANT The Canada Grain Act does not allow anyone to deliver contaminated grain which can cause a serious risk to human and animal health. Grain handling facilities are prohibited from receiving contaminated grain and maintain a strict zero tolerance for treated seed in grain and oilseed deliveries. Health Canada has set maximum residue limits for many chemicals, including those used to treat seed. POTENTIAL POINTS OF CONTAMINATION The first step to preventing treated seed contamination is to pinpoint any opportunities for contamination, says Grain Farmers of Ontario senior agronomist, Marty Vermey. You’ve done all the hard work: made it through the planting season, gone to battle with pests, weeds, and disease, and have harvested your crop. The last thing you want is for that truckload of grain to be rejected at the elevator due to contamination with treated seed. “Taking time to identify the opportunities for contamination can save you a lot of headaches in the long run,” he says. Some possible contamination points include: • Seed left in corners or ledges of wagons and trucks. • Seed trapped in tarps or augers. • Seed that was aerially broadcast in a standing crop that is then harvested. • Seed spills in fields that are picked up by a combine during harvest. • Treatment-coated equipment (augers, wagon, trucks, holding bins) being used and treatment adhering to commodity grain. • Dumping left over treated seed in with commercial grain. ONTARIO GRAIN FARMER AGRONOMY 28
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