CropLife Corn Effect

Damaged Corn Receives Crisis Exemption In Four States

Four states have declared a crisis exemption for freeze and rain damaged corn at presstime. These exemptions allow growers in Indiana, Mississippi, Ohio, and Tennessee to use Select Max herbicide from Valent U.S.A. Corp. to control the damaged corn under Section 18 of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act.

Freezing temperatures throughout Indiana in April, along with excessive May rainfall in the northern part of the state and extremely dry conditions in the eastern sector have caused enough injury to corn plants to necessitate some replanting. "Before replanting, it will be necessary to kill the surviving corn plants of the first stand so that they will not become competitive weeds in the second stand," according to a report in the May 11 issue of Purdue University's Pest & Crop Newsletter. "The fact that many growers chose to plant glyphosate-resistant corn means that glyphosate alone cannot be used to kill the remaining corn plants."

Dr. Robert Waltz, the Indiana state chemist and seed commissioner, issued the crisis exemption to allow the non-registered herbicide's use on glyphosate-resistant dent corn to address the emergency conditions.

In Mississippi, freezing temperatures in the northern counties during the first weekend in April has also caused considerable damage that will result in replanting corn fields. "These steps were taken to assist the corn farmer during this tough time and to prevent any additional costs," says Lester Sell, state commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce.

According to a Valent official, the application dates in Ohio are May 9-24 and in Indiana are May 12-26. Mississippi and Tennessee growers should check with their state's land grant university for specific labeling.

Select Max may applied at a rate of 4 ounces per acre as a burndown herbicide in Roundup Ready corn that is no more than 6 inches tall, according to Valent. The single application must be made at least five days prior to replanting.