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Insect Resistance Management

In order to preserve trait durability, it is everyone’s responsibility to prevent insecticide resistance from occurring. Implementing a robust IRM plan that is part of a larger Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategy is the most effective way to prevent resistance from occurring. That includes multiple Best Management Practices (BMPs).

One important component of a successful management plan is to plant a block of corn that does not control the target pest(s), known as a refuge, near insect-protected hybrids. The refuge sustains a population of susceptible target pests to mate with any rare resistant species that may emerge from these same or nearby corn hybrid.

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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires a refuge on every farm that plants insect-protected hybrids. Failure to plant the appropriate refuge jeopardizes continued access to trait technology.

Different hybrid or trait packages may have different IRM requirements. On-farm mixing of any seed is not an approved method to comply with stewardship requirements. Always check the bag tag to ensure the accurate refuge size requirements.

Trait Stack

Size Requirment
(Corn-Growing Region)1

Size Requirment
(Cotton-Growing Region)1

ABOVE- AND BELOW-GROUND TRAIT STACKS

5% in the bag E-Z Refuge®

20% Supplemental refuge2
Within field or adjacent

20% in field/ajacent

20% in field/ajacent

50% in field/ajacent

ABOVE-GROUND TRAIT STACKS

5% in the bag E-Z Refuge®

20% supplemental refuge2 Within field, adjacent or up to a ½ mile away

20% within, adjacent or up to a ½ mile away

20% within, adjacent or up to a ½ mile away

20% within, adjacent or up to a ½ mile away

20% within, adjacent or up to a ½ mile away

IRM Compliance Assurance Program

Syngenta Seeds and other industry registrants of trait products that provide insect-protected hybrids have coordinately developed and implemented the EPA-mandated Insect Resistance Management (IRM) Compliance Assurance Program. This program requires corn seed companies to evaluate the extent to which growers are adhering to the IRM requirements and ensure that those who do not are brought back into compliance. Growers who do not meet IRM requirements for two years within a five-year period may be denied access to hybrids with Syngenta insect-protected traits in the third year.

  • On-Farm Assessments: To assess compliance, Syngenta Seeds and other seed companies will conduct on-farm assessments of randomly selected customers who purchased hybrids with Agrisure insect-protected traits. Following each on-farm assessment, Syngenta will determine if the grower is in compliance based on EPA requirements.
  • Responding to Non-Compliance: All growers found to be out of compliance will receive a letter informing them of their compliance infraction, reminding them of their compliance obligations and the consequences of not adhering to the requirements. Included in each letter will be further instructional information on how to develop and implement a suitable IRM program for their farm. Additionally, any grower found to be out of compliance will receive a follow-up IRM assessment the next growing season.
  • IRM Tips Line: Seed companies that sell insect-protected hybrids are required by the EPA to establish a system to collect information about alleged instances of non-compliance with the IRM requirements. Syngenta Seeds has established a toll-free IRM Tips & Complaints phone line which is 1-877-GRO-CORN (877-476-2676).