Refuge Requirements

If you are planting Bt corn this spring, you need to plant a non-Bt refuge too.

 

How much refuge do I need to plant?

• At least 20% of your total corn acreage must be non-Bt refuge.

Where should I plant the refuge?

• Refuge for ECB Bt Hybrids must be within 400 metres (1/4 mile) of the Bt field.
• Refuge for CRW Bt Hybrids or stacked ECB & CRW Bt hybrids must be planted within or adjacent to the Bt field in a field with the same crop rotation history.

What can I plant as refuge?

• DO NOT mix Bt and non-Bt corn seed at planting.
• Conventional or single trait herbicide tolerant corn hybrids can be used if they are of similar maturity and agronomics as the Bt corn hybrid (within 100-150 CHU). They must also be planted at the same time as the Bt corn.
• An ECB Bt hybrid can be used as refuge for Stacked ECB/CRW Bt hybrids, but a non-Bt corn refuge still must be planted within 400 m for the ECB Bt.

Can I use insecticides in the refuge?

• DO NOT use foliar insecticides to control ECB in the ECB refuge or adult CRW in the CRW refuge.
• In the CRW refuge, late season control of pests other than CRW is permitted, as long as the CRW Bt corn planting is also treated.
• The refuge may be treated for CRW larval control with soil-applied or seed insecticides if economic thresholds prescribe it.