b"Sifting Through Misinformation to Understand Seed TreatmentsWhen it comes to seed treatment policy, the headaches come from misunderstandings. SEED TREATMENTS DOa lot of good for crops,So potentially, this could reduce inputs later in the such as protecting seeds from pests and diseases.season, because we're getting that benefit up front, And while the pros of seed treatments may seemshe added.like a simple fact for some, for others theres a lot ofIts important that these benefits are shared with confusion surrounding them, which may lead topolicy makers to allow for continued access to regulatory issues.seed treatments. In the past, Moncaster has found When we think about seed treatments, in termsthat misunderstandings around the economic and of crop protection, we're really thinking about howenvironmental value of seed treatments can lead to well they can reduce disease incidence. And they dopolicy proposals that arent based on the realities that by providing an active ingredient that can begrowers are facing in their fields.systemic throughout the plant and moving throughThe states and provinces where we've seenMax Moncaster, manager of the plant, or a zone of protection right around thatproposed restrictions on the use of seed treatments,public affairs with BASFseed, Cassidy Million, vice-president of ag scienceI think it really doesn't come from a malicious at Heliae Agriculture, said during an episode of Seedplace, just comes from a lack of awareness and Speaks.understanding about either how the products are Overall, seed treatments are being used moreregulated, or the value that they provide to growers, today than they have been in the past, Maxhe added.Moncaster, manager of public affairs with BASF,Farmers are businesspeople and are focused on explained during the episode. This means growerstheir bottom lines, Moncaster said. The products are seeing the positive impacts from seed treatments,they buy and use, such as seed treatments, must have but there are some regions where those benefits haveeconomic and environmental benefits, and in some been questioned. cases provide risk insurance policies before they will There have been some states that have lookedpurchase them. at trying to restrict the use of treated seeds, takingSeed treatments are a critical tool to have in the a more critical view and propose legislation thattoolbox. We've got to have them available and forCassidy Million, vice-would take these tools away from growers. For us (atgrowers to be able to use them. But certainly, I thinkpresident of ag science at BASF), we want to have as many tools on the marketsometimes with that lack of understanding, you seeHeliae Agricultureas possible for growers to be able to use, Moncasterpolicy proposals that would restrict access, and we added.need to push back really strongly, Moncaster added.When access to seed treatments is limited, it can Ashley Robinsonimpact how producers are able to sustainably grow crops and therefore produce food. The small amount of active ingredient that seed treatments provide to plants can allow for fewer passes of tractors and other equipment across fields, Million said.There are new technologies hitting the market,To watch the full episode visit https://www.and these are really exciting from a sustainabilityseed.ab.ca/sifting-through-misinformation-perspective because they're giving us an alternativeto-understand-seed-treatments/to either plant protection or increasing plant health. Fall 2023 35"