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 60MARCH 2017 GERMINATION.CA 17 eratives, seed growers, and relevant provincial and federal government agencies. The standard is comprised of 76 auditable protocols in several categories: Siting and Exterior Requirements, Building Structure and Equipment, Operations, Training, and Documentation. Forty of the 76 protocols are designated manda- tory. That means an operation must comply with them completely to be accredited. Most of the mandatory requirements are already required as part of fire, health and safety and building code regulations. Ted Labun, Syngenta’s technical lead for Seedcare in Western Canada, agrees that ensuring you’re up on the latest operational standards is key, especially with regard to labels. “It all begins with the label. Anyone who treats seed or sells seed treatment needs to have a good understanding of what the label says, precautions, directions for use, what the claims are on the label in terms of expectations with growers and what the labels claim in terms of dis- ease and insect control,” he says. “The label also explains what you need in terms of safety equipment and precautions. Be sure to have labels and SDS sheets on hand.” Of course, there are also the daily good habits of taking simple safety and health precautions when working with seed treatments, Hurst adds. “Be aware of Best Management Practices. Wear gloves — it’s a basic thing, but we want everyone to do that. Work in a well-ventilated area. Be aware — that’s one of the biggest things.” DO: Transfer Knowledge to the Grower. According to Hurst, retailers are in the perfect position to use their knowledge of good stewardship to educate their grower customers on a PROTECTINGPOLLINATORS: WHATCANYOUDO? Insecticide-treated seed is a key part of agricultural production and provides significant benefits, such as delivering the protection where it is most needed while limiting non-target exposure. However, it is important that retailers are reminded to educate growers about reducing the exposure of bees to seed treatment dust, according to CropLife Canada. If you choose to handle insecticide-treated seed, there are certain steps you and your grower customers can take to reduce this risk. BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES •  Control flowering weeds in the field prior to planting so that bees are not attracted to the field for foraging • Provide pollinator-friendly habitats away from active fields •  Be aware of hive locations and monitor environmental conditions •  Dry, windy conditions can carry dust onto flowering crops, weeds, or trees, increasing potential exposure of bees to seed treatment material •  Be aware of wind direction when planting a field near flowering crops, weeds, or trees •  Discuss alternate locations with beekeepers (upwind, shelter belts, etc.) where possible •  Avoid generating dust when handling or loading treated seed •  Pour seeds carefully and do not shake dust or loose material from the bottom of the bag •  Do not load or clean planting equipment near bee colonies or bee foraging areas •  When turning on the planter, avoid engaging the system near bee colonies or bee foraging areas • Ensure proper clean-up and disposal •  Incorporate spilled or exposed seed into the soil rather than leaving it exposed • Keep treated seed and dust away from surface water •  Properly dispose of empty seed bags in accordance with local regulations and participate in the CleanFARMS collection programs where available number of fronts. “Once the seed exits the agri-retail facility, you can work to ensure that it’s being used in the most responsi- ble way possible,” Hurst says. This extends to ensuring your customers know which seed treat- ment products are most appropriate for them. “Understanding grower needs is crucial. There are issues this year with seedborne diseases on seed. It would help the grower a lot to ensure they’ve done a complete diagnostic on their seed,” Labun says. “Testing for germination is common, but this year (growers) should screen for dis- ease, too. That can make a big impact