The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has granted what DuPont is calling the historic commercial registration of Optimum AcreMaxTM 1 insect protection for Pioneer brand corn hybrids. This is EPA's first approval of an in-the-bag solution for insect refuge management, offering, according to DuPont, reduced corn rootworm refuge and a more convenient path to refuge compliance for growers.
This new DuPont technology reduces the traditional 20% corn rootworm refuge by half and puts it in the seed bag, eliminating the need for separate rootworm refuge while increasing the ease and flexibility of planting the corn borer refuge.
Paul Schickler, president of Pioneer Hi-Bred, says their focus is on improving customer productivity using their 'right product, right acre' approach; responding to customer input with an innovative solution that works better for growers.