At the end of last week Croplife Foundation released a new report, “The Role of Seed Treatment in Modern U.S. Crop Production.” The report contains extensive information on the benefits of seed treatment for growers, consumers and the environment. Some of the topics covered in the report include:
Grower benefits – Seed treatments offer effective control against early-season pests and diseases, and reduce the need for additional rescue treatments or replanting.
Added value to seed – Seed treatment protects and contributes value to a large proportion of seed that has been enhanced through agricultural technologies.
Positive environmental impacts – Crop protection products applied as seed treatments can reduce soil surface exposure by up to 90 percent compared to other application methods.
Economic impacts – Through increased protection and greater crop yields, seed treatments helped contribute to nearly $80 billion worth of value to American corn growers in 2011.
The CropLife Foundation held a press conference with these speakers:
Jay Vroom, chair, CropLife Foundation board of directors and president and CEO, CropLife America; Andrew W. LaVigne, president and CEO, American Seed Trade Association; Tim Burrack, Iowa farmer and vice chair of the board of directors, Truth about Trade & Technology.
You can download or listen to the press conference to learn more here: CropLife Foundation Press Conference