If you plant corn hybrids that have the Bt traits for protection against rootworm and/or European cornborer, you are required to plant 20% of your acreage to a non-biotech hybrid as a refuge. Some farmers don't want to plant the refuge. They are asking if it is really necessary. "Yes, it is necessary, for several reasons, " says Marlin Rice, Iowa State University Extension entomologist.

Corn growers are increasingly adopting the corn biotech traits in YieldGard, Herculex and Agrisure hybrids because they can protect your yield against these insects. All of these traits require that corn growers follow the Insect Resistant Management requirements to effectively manage the technology.

Considering the yield advantage for Bt corn coupled with high corn prices, you may be tempted to skip planting a refuge this spring or maybe skimp on the amount of refuge acres you plant. Rice says, "Don't do that. All corn growers who plant these hybrids in 2007 should follow the IRM requirements."

Good reasons to follow the refuge rules

* Farmers should follow IRM requirements because they are required by law. The purpose of IRM is to maintain effectiveness of these traits and to preserve the technology for the future. By not following IRM requirements, farmers risk losing the product's performance when insects become resistant to the technology.
* Being a good steward of the technology is a decision you make not just for yourself but for your neighbors and for whoever will farm your land in the future. It's a decision you make for everyone who uses the technology. If insect resistance becomes a problem, it eventually becomes everyone's problem.
* Following IRM requirements reduces the risk of corn rootworms or European corn borers developing resistance to the technology. It is extremely important that farmers follow the refuge distance requirements to ensure that the beetles coming out of the biotech corn mate with beetles coming out of the refuge, minimizing the risk of developing resistant corn rootworm beetles.
* Farmers should follow IRM requirements because they signed an agreement with the seed company. It's an issue of integrity.
"If you have questions or need information on IRM guidelines, check with your seed company representative," advises Rice. Or consult the National Corn Growers Association site www.ncga.com/biotechnology/insectMgmtPlan/index.asp for refuge planting options.