The Canola Council of Canada, Cereals Canada and Pulse Canada are issuing a reminder that improper use of glyphosate can create market risk.
鈥�Glyphosate is an effective tool for pre-harvest perennial weed control, but is not to be used as a desiccant,鈥� said Greg Bartley, Manager, Crop Protection and Crop Quality at Pulse Canada. 鈥淚mproper or off-label use can leave residues that exceed maximum allowable limits and put crop marketability at risk.鈥�
When using glyphosate to control weeds pre-harvest, growers can avoid unacceptable residues in the harvested seed by following these Keep it Clean! guidelines:
- Waiting until the least mature areas of the crop reach a seed moisture level of less than 30 per cent before applying glyphosate to avoid unacceptable residues. Growers can refer to the crop staging guide at keepingitclean.ca to ensure the product is not applied too early.
- Adhering to the recommended pre-harvest interval (PHI), which is the wait time between a product application and when the crop can be harvested.
- Checking with their grain buyer before applying pre-harvest glyphosate to oats, as it may not be accepted. Malt barley will not be accepted if treated.
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鈥淲e know that glyphosate is under increased customer scrutiny, but by using the product correctly, growers can help to ensure the quality and safety of Canadian canola, cereals and pulse crops, and keep markets open for all,鈥� said Brenna Mahoney, Director of Communications and Stakeholder Relations at Cereals Canada.
This level of scrutiny has the potential to impact the way the product can be used in Canada in the future. By following the steps listed above, Canadian farmers can do their part to demonstrate responsible product use and protect the investments they have made in their crop.
鈥淏y carefully planning and managing fall applications of glyphosate, growers can protect their investment and help to keep this effective and valuable tool available for use in Canadian crop production for years to come,鈥� said Brian Innes, Vice President, Public Affairs at the Canola Council of Canada.
Growers are encouraged to visit keepingitclean.ca/glyphosate to learn more and to see examples of various crops at the correct stage to receive fall glyphosate application.
