New York farmers have a narrow window of opportunity each year to cultivate crops like corn and soybeans. However, lurking beneath the soil are pests like seed corn maggots, eagerly waiting to devour seedlings before they even sprout. To combat this threat and ensure a successful harvest, farmers have relied on coating small amounts of neonic pesticides on their corn and soybean seeds. Unfortunately, recent legislation passed in New York aims to eliminate this valuable tool from farmers’ arsenal.
The Birds and Bees Protection Act, which has been approved by the Legislature but has yet to be signed by Gov. Kathy Hochul, will have a negative impact on the cost of food. The endorsement of this bill by The Times Union reflects a widespread misunderstanding of its potential repercussions.
Advocates of the bill have cited a report from Cornell University, claiming that neonicotinoid seed treatments would not provide any overall net income benefit to New York farmers compared to using untreated seeds. However, this assessment is based on averages and does not take into account the individual risk assessments of each farm. It fails to acknowledge that a catastrophic loss on one farm can have devastating consequences for that particular business, despite being statistically insignificant when averaged across all farms.
As a dairy farmer, I face several factors that must be considered when deciding whether to use treated seeds. These risk factors cannot simply be averaged out, as they directly impact the feed supply for my herd. These factors include the level of threat posed by seed corn maggots in each field, the planting date and soil temperatures, the growing degree days required for a viable crop, and the market price of feed to replace potential crop losses.
The proponents of this state bill argue that it aims to protect pollinators. However, treating seeds with pesticides is actually more environmentally friendly than other pest control methods such as aggressive tillage, which requires the use of fossil fuels and contributes to carbon emissions. Furthermore, experts on pollinators have identified other significant issues affecting them, such as bee parasites, malnutrition, habitat loss, and diseases, which outweigh the potential risks associated with judicious pesticide use.
The solution to preserving the well-being of birds and bees lies within the farming community itself. We can implement best management practices to minimize the interface between pollinators and pesticides. In fact, the state’s Pollinator Protection Plan could make it mandatory for farmers who choose to use insecticide-treated seeds. Legislation (S.7315) has already been introduced to establish this concept. Another approach could involve conducting a “pest pressure risk assessment” before planting treated seeds.
It is also worth noting that other research conducted by Cornell supports the use of insecticide-treated seeds as the best practice for combating seed corn maggots in New York. Entomologist Elson Shields, based on his findings, concludes that seed treatments are an essential risk management tool.
Governor Kathy Hochul should be aware that signing this bill will result in a smaller agricultural industry in New York and higher food prices, without making any meaningful contributions to environmental protection.
As both a mother, grandmother, and farmer, my focus is on providing my family and fellow New Yorkers with safe, nutritious, locally grown food. The use of seed treatments will ensure that we can have affordable access to nutritious foods grown right here in New York.
[By Rochelle Stein | CEO of Stein Farms, LLC and Chair of the Genesee County Legislature, representing the town of LeRoy]
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