Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32 Page 33 Page 34 Page 35 Page 36 Page 37 Page 38 Page 39 Page 40 Page 41 Page 42 Page 43 Page 44 Page 45 Page 46 Page 47 Page 48 Page 49 Page 50 Page 51 Page 52 Page 53 Page 54 Page 55 Page 56 Page 57 Page 58 Page 59 Page 60 Page 61 Page 62 Page 63 Page 64 Page 65 Page 66 Page 67 Page 68JANUARY 2017 47 Precision Agriculture Starts With The Seed OPTICOUNT LAB PROVIDES: • Configurations for Soy, Corn, Wheat, Flower/Veg, Others • Recipe-based setup for rapid changeover • Integrated bench scale interface • Image and data archiving Also available in fully automated OptiCount OnLine 804-514-9189 processvis.com 281-276-3600 satake-usa.com LAB Counting is fast and reliable with visual verification. OptiCount provides seed-by-seed size, shape and color analysis giving you count and data output in less than 30 seconds. PROCESS V I S I O N S E E D S O L U T I O N S Backlit Count & Measure Data Color • Occupational risks to handlers are not of concern when products are used according to the label directions. • Post application risks are not of concern when products are used according to the label directions. • In terrestrial environments, imidacloprid poses a poten- tial risk to soil dwelling organisms, beneficial arthropods, birds and small, wild mammals. From its research, Health Canada reports that concentra- tions of imidacloprid in surface water can range from non- detectable to, in some rare cases, levels as high as 11.9 parts per billion. Scientific evidence indicates that levels above 0.041 parts per billion are a concern. Focus on Waterways and Aquatic Insects As such, Health Canada reports that the current use of imidacloprid is “not sustainable,” and the levels of this pes- ticide found in waterways and aquatic environments are harmful to aquatic insects, such as mayflies and midges — important food sources for fish, birds and other animals. In the Proposed Re-evaluation Decision PRVD2016-20, Imidacloprid, Health Canada and the Pest Management Regulatory Agency propose to cancel the use of imida- cloprid for trees (except when applied as an injection), greenhouse uses, outdoor agricultural uses, commercial seed treatment uses and turf. The Nov. 23 announcement “follows a detailed science- based evaluation and demonstrates our government’s com- mitment to evidence-based decision-making,” says Minister of Health Jane Philpott. PMRA will accept comments until Feb. 21, 2017. These comments will be compiled and taken into consideration prior to publishing the final rule. The announcement was met with criticism from seed indus- try groups, who called the recommendations misguided and lacking in science. Derrick Rozdeba, Bayer CropScience’s vice-president of communications, says the company is “extremely disap- pointed” with Health Canada’s proposal to phase out imida- cloprid. “We will conduct a thorough review of its proposal and supporting data, and provide input into the consulta- tion process,” he adds. Many scientists, beekeepers and agri-industries have turned their attention to mitigating the harmful effects of neonicoti- noids rather than calling for an outright ban of the insecticides in seed coatings, but that’s not where government is headed. In addition, the federal agency also plans to review the use of two other neonicotinoids. “These special reviews will examine any potential risks clothianidin and thiamethoxam may pose to aquatic invertebrates ... as they are also being detected frequently in aquatic environments,” according to Health Canada. Anne Cote and Marc Zienkiewicz