Many prairie grain farmers aren’t aware that a licence is needed to buy the pesticide that kills rusty grain beetles.
Until two years ago, farmers were allowed to buy the fast-acting fumigant phostoxin to kill rusty grain beetles in stored grain on their own farm. But a federal regulation in 2001 that restricted the sale and use of the pesticide to provincially licensed applicators was poorly communicated to producers, said Leigh McIntyre, who farms near D’Arcy, Sask.
“I’m a little annoyed that the federal government can make this change and not bother to make sure that we’re all aware that we need this (special grain fumigation seed treatment course). And it makes me worried that it’s not going to stop here,” she said, noting that farmers are using what she believes are much more hazardous chemicals without need for a course.
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Some of the McIntyres’ stored barley was refused delivery to their elevator this summer when rusty grain beetles were found in the sample. When McIntyre went to buy phostoxin to treat their grain, she discovered she needed a licence to do so. The McIntyres had to hire a licensed commercial pesticide applicator to fumigate the barley before they could take it back to the elevator.
In case an infestation occurs again, McIntyre’s husband hopes to take the course and become licensed, preferably before this year’s harvest.
There are other methods to deal with the beetles, but applying phostoxin is the most effective. While McIntyre’s elevator gave the names of a few commercial applicators who could fumigate their grain in the future, the potential costs could be prohibitive.
McIntyre knows of only one producer in her area who is licensed to buy and use the pesticide.
In Saskatchewan, the courses that lead to a licence are offered through the Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology at various regional campuses, through in-class or home study, said Donn Farrer, director of inspection and regulatory management with Saskatchewan Agriculture.
People taking the special grain fumigation seed treatment course must recertify every five years, but the licence must be renewed from the provincial department annually.
