Wisconsin Ag Connection - DATCP: Be Sure to Clean Farm Equipment from Treated Seed

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DATCP: Be Sure to Clean Farm Equipment from Treated Seed
Wisconsin Ag Connection - 05/22/2015

Though this is a very busy time for farmers, they should not take shortcuts when it comes to cleaning their equipment after planting season. That's according to state agriculture officials, who caution that equipment used to handle treated seed must be thoroughly cleaned to avoid contamination during fall harvests time.

Mark McCloskey, who oversees compliance for the Bureau of Agrichemical Management at the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, says even one of the bright-colored treated seeds is enough to condemn a whole truckload of harvested products or even a storage bin.

"There is a zero tolerance policy," McCloskey says. "This seed is treated with pesticides, so grain contaminated by contact with treated seed cannot go into human food or animal feed. We have no choice but to condemn the entire load, at the farmer's expense."

Seeds treated with insecticides and fungicides are commonly used by farmers to protect seedlings at planting. These seeds are dyed bright colors to differentiate them from untreated seeds.

Seed specialists say after hauling or planting treated seed, farmers should clean all equipment with a pressure washer, including gravity boxes, truck beds and wagons. When storing such seed, keep it separate from grain, forage and feed storage areas. And be sure to check with suppliers about returning or disposing of any unused treated seed.

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