Western Canada is known as an agricultural juggernaut — a reputation established by generations of producers who have consistently delivered some of the highest quality grains and oilseeds in the world.
To build on that legacy, and continue exporting those goods across the globe, our agricultural products must meet stringent standards set by other countries.
That includes maximum residue levels (MRLs) for pesticides — measurements that are closely examined by grain buyers, processors and international customers.
Using crop protection products that aren’t approved in an export market — or making off-label applications — can result in an MRL violation. Even a miniscule amount of an unaccepted residue can result in the loss of an entire export market and have a significant impact on all producers.
To ensure that doesn’t happen, everyone across the agriculture sector must work together to ensure pesticides and crop protection products are used responsibly.
“The first people to raise the red flags were the exporters. They identified the fact that products were being used with no agreed upon or established MRL in certain jurisdictions,” said Dan Caldwell, Crop Protection Manager with Federated Co-operatives Limited.
“If those markets of interest don’t have established MRLs for a product, the tolerance is assumed to be zero.”
What you can do
MRLs affect all products and crop types, so you should carefully plan and time every application, as there are many intricacies to consider.
For example, take pre-harvest glyphosate applications in cereals. In wheat, applications made before the moisture content is at or below 30 per cent can result in unacceptable residues. In other cereals, including oats, buyers may reject the crop entirely if it has received a pre-harvest glyphosate application.
To avoid residue-related issues, follow these steps:
- Follow product labels
Only apply crop protection products on the crop types for which they’re registered and always follow the label, ensuring the correct rate, timing and pre-harvest intervals are adhered to. - Consult your grain buyer
Detailed information about products and applications that may cause marketing concerns is available at keepingitclean.ca. Remember that guidelines and MRLs can vary depending on the country. If you’re using a product that may be a concern, speak with your grain buyer and confirm that the product is acceptable to its customers.
Remember that guidelines and MRLs can vary depending on the country. If you’re using a product that may be a concern, speak with your grain buyer and confirm that the product is acceptable to its customers.
“Any off-label application can result in a violation,” said Caldwell.
“For example, harvest intervals with insecticides can affect your grain quality by exceeding an MRL. If you spray bertha armyworms too late, you can have insecticide in your grain that can get caught for exceeding an MRL. Domestic crushers can monitor deliveries for that.”
If you have questions about your crop protection plans, consult your Co-op Grow Team member, who can help you adhere to label recommendations and the industry guidelines available at keepingitclean.ca.