b'Its imperative that as an industry we take a proactive approach in protecting TIPpollinators. operationpollinator.comWe are well aware that feeding our world population depends on good seed care and crop protection products, White says. That means we need to protect the viability of those products and use them according to the label and following best management practices to keep those products in the field.The label is the law for many reasons, and not a list of suggestions or guidelines. White says using a trained applicator is key to product stewardship.If applicators fail to follow drift laws and other regulations, they can have their license revoked.We have pretty stringent drift laws here in North Carolina, and action is taken when we see violations, Buhler says. The industry is at risk of losing access to certain products if stewardship efforts fail. For instance, neonicotinoids are under regulatory review. Meanwhile, the indu-stry is drafting a stewardship plan, but noBy following the label, we are able to protect the viability of crop protection products. products are guaranteed for the future. Its a long, difficult and expensiveto focus on their margins as they bal- guidelines, its important to remember process to bring a new active ingredi- ance protection, production and profits.that stewardship is everyones responsi-ent to market, White says. An estimateUnfortunately, its not a simple, one-size- bility and should be top of mind. is around 11 years and $300 million, withfits-all strategy.Buhler is encouraged by the efforts hundreds of scientific studies. The financial aspect of farminghe has seen, and the new things various Due to expenses and timing, there isntis important to consider, White says.industry and consumer groups are trying. always a new product in the pipeline. Farmers dont want to waste productsIm excited from an educational For example, we have to look at allby not using them correctly or by appl- standpoint about the increase in aware-the other toxicological effects a newying more than they need. ness weve seen from the White House product could have to ensure its reallyIts important they do use productsto big box stores and even grassroots better or safer, and if that product is suf- whenever necessary to protect theirefforts, he says. ficient to control the pest as part of ouryields, or they wont hit the numbersIts both troubling and delightful to IPM toolbox, Buhler says. they need to turn a profit and make theirconsider this is something we all work However, it isnt just regulatoryoperations sustainable, he says.towards, he says. Its our job to make concerns that researchers worry about.If farming isnt profitable, there will bepeople aware of the stewardship efforts Another problem is resistance.trickle-down financial costs for consum- so we can continue to better manage and Insect resistance is a real challengeers, too.preserve our world. SWand concern, White says. We need toIf we lose farmers because it is no use products the correct way.longer profitable for them, we lose our We only have a certain number of prod- ability to grow food, Buhler says. OurWHERE ucts, Buhler says. Its not a matter of takingentire food security will be jeopardized forON THE WEBone away and replacing it with another. the future. Companies such as Syngenta, Bayer Crop Science and Valent U.S.A. LLC have joined up for causes such as growingmatters.org, Financial Focus Trying, Together a helpful resource that talks about the important benefits of crop Stewardship also includes the finan- While crop protection companies areprotection products and provides resources on how to use them cial side of agriculture. Farmers haveworking on new stewardship goals andproperly.OCTOBER 2019SEEDWORLD.COM /57'