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North and South Dakota Get Ok to Use Avipel(R) Bird Repellent Seed Treatment

Posted on: Tuesday, 14 April 2009, 10:30 CDT

NEW CASTLE, Del., April 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Farmers in North and South Dakota can now use Avipel(R) Seed Treatment on field and sweet corn seed. Section 18 permits to market Avipel(R) were approved by the EPA for 2009. Other states receiving approvals for use on corn and/or rice seed include Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090317/AQ85115)

Both North and South Dakota face a growing problem with pheasants. While a large pheasant population benefits hunters and represents added revenue for the hunting industry, crop damage has offset this benefit. As bird numbers have increased to levels not seen since the 1960's, the effect on certain crops has been dramatic. Freshly planted corn fields have been particularly hard hit. The photograph showing a test plot from last year dramatically demonstrates the sort of damage that can occur.

Where pheasants are a problem, Avipel(R) offers a non-toxic and effective way to protect newly planted fields. Eating seeds coated with Avipel(R) causes birds to have a digestive upset. After sampling the treated seed, birds avoid it and look for other food sources. Avipel(R) has been shown to be highly effective in protecting corn seed from birds in over four years of use on more than half a million acres of planted corn. Information about approved uses and labels may be found at: www.ArkionLS.com.

Arkion Life Sciences has been a pioneer in the development and commercialization of several formulations of bird repellent and bird management technologies. In addition to Avipel(R) for crop protection, Arkion's patented formulations of anthraquinone effectively repel geese from turf grass with FlightControl(R) Plus and birds from structures through Airepel(R) Humane Bird Management.

Arkion Life Sciences LLC, based in New Castle, Delaware, is a technology-based company leading in the discovery, development and marketing of environmentally friendly, natural or nature identical compounds. Arkion has three major businesses: Airepel(R), supplying bird repellents which feature a non-lethal method to control where birds feed and roost; Hyperimmune eggs with markets in human and animal nutrition; and Bio-Technical Resources (Manitowoc, WI) which develops processes and products based on fermentation technology such as glucosamine, N-acetylglucosamine and natamycin.

Pheasant damage in South Dakota corn field courtesy of Joel Bierman, Pioneer Hi-bred International

SOURCE Arkion Life Sciences LLC

Source: PR Newswire

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