The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has OK'd the use of a pheasant repellant seed treatment on corn in North Dakota.

The EPA recently approved a Section 18 exemption for Avipel Liquid Corn Seed Treatment and Avipel Dry Powder Corn Seed Treatment.

Anthraquinone, the active ingredient in Avipel, is a naturally occurring, organic chemical that causes an unpleasant, but harmless reaction in birds that eat treated seeds, according to North Dakota Department of Agriculture. The birds learn to avoid treated seeds and to seek other food.

The exemption allows users to apply the liquid seed treatment at a rate of one gallon product per 980 pounds of seed. The dry product may be applied at a rate of 3.5 ounces of product per 42 pounds of seed.

Users must follow all applicable directions, restrictions and precautions on the Section 18 labeling. Treated seed must be dyed to prevent use as food, feed or oil processing.

Some North Dakota growers experienced total losses of corn stands due to pheasants in 2008, according to a state ag department survey.

Source: ND Department of Agriculture