Insect Resistance Management (IRM) requirements.

Refuge requirements for HERCULEX^® XTRA Insect Protection.

You have two refuge options. The simplest option is a common refuge that is designed to provide refuge for both corn borers and corn rootworms. However, separate refuges for each type of pest are permitted, allowing greater flexibility than the common refuge option.

Common refuge: You must plant a refuge of non-Bt corn within or adjacent to the HERCULEX XTRA corn. The refuge may be planted in a variety of configurations within fields or in adjacent fields. The refuge can be separated by a ditch or road, but not by another field. Adjacent refuge fields must be owned or managed by the grower. If perimeter or splitting planter configurations are used for the refuge, the refuge strips must be at least four consecutive rows wide. In most regions of the United States, you must plant at least 20 percent of your corn acres as non-Bt corn with your HERCULEX XTRA corn. In cotton-growing areas of the southern United States, you must plant at least 50 percent of your corn acres as non-corn borer resistant corn and 20 percent with non-corn rootworm resistant corn with your HERCULEX XTRA corn. For information on separate refuge options for HERCULEX XTRA corn, consult the HERCULEX^® Product Use Guide.

Refuge requirements for HERCULEX^® I Insect Protection.

You must plant a refuge of non-Bt corn or non-corn borer resistant Bt corn within ½ mile (preferably ¼ mile) of the HERCULEX I corn. The refuge may be planted in a variety of configurations within fields or in separate fields. In most regions of the United States, you must plant at least 20 percent of your corn acres as non-Bt corn or non-corn borer resistant Bt corn with your HERCULEX I corn. In cotton-growing areas of the southern United States, you must plant at least 50 percent of your corn acres as non-Bt corn or non-corn borer resistant Bt corn within ½ mile of your HERCULEX I corn.

Refuge requirements for HERCULEX^® RW Rootworm Protection.

You must plant a refuge of non-Bt corn or non-corn rootworm resistant Bt corn within or adjacent to the HERCULEX RW corn. You must plant no more than 80 percent of your corn acres with HERCULEX RW corn hybrids, planting a minimum 20 percent of your corn acres as a non-Bt corn or non-corn rootworm resistant Bt corn refuge. The refuge may be planted in a variety of configurations within fields or in adjacent fields. The refuge can be separated by a ditch or road, but not by another field. Adjacent refuge fields must be owned or managed by the grower. If perimeter or splitting planter configurations are used for the refuge, the refuge strips must be at least four consecutive rows wide.

Get more details on IRM requirements.

For complete details on IRM requirements for hybrids with HERCULEX^® technology, including refuge examples and important information on the use of insecticides on refuge and Bt corn acres, consult the Product Use Guide or contact us at 1-877-4-TRAITS (1-877-487-2487).

An online IRM training course sponsored by the National Corn Growers Association is available at www.ncga.com/biotechnology/IRMCenter.

IRM tips line.

Bt corn seed companies are required by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to establish a system to collect information about alleged instances of noncompliance with IRM requirements.

Dow AgroSciences has established a toll-free IRM Tips & Complaints phone line, which is 1-877-4-TRAITS (1-877-487-2487).