Smart solution to every problem

The theme this year for AMVAC at Commodity Classic is Smart Solutions. Paul Vaculin, Marketing Manager for AMVAC told Brownfield that the reasons growers use insecticides has changed a lot over the last decade with the advent of corn root worm tolerant hybrids. “There is kind of a renewed interest in nematodes because of the lack of nematocides being used. Also, of course, you have your refuge management. We have a new product that we are launching called Smart Choice. It’s a combination of an organophosphate and a parathyroid. It’s really designed to enhance those corn root worm tolerant hybrids that growers have adopted and work well. We have found that we can increase yields and get better harvest efficiency by combining insecticide with that. So Smart Choice is our lead product for that piece of the business. Also, with the nematodes we have Counter which has been around a long time but it’s really only labeled as granular insecticide for corn and with all the renewed interest in nematodes we are really excited about keeping that product available.”

“We just are glad to be out with our Smart Box System. We have a core group of growers in the Midwest that have adopted the Smart Box System. They like it for the safety, for the application efficiency. We now have a broad portfolio of products available. Really we have, as we say, a smart solution for every problem.”

How important is insecticide today? Vaculin said it does vary a bit, depending upon intended use.

“It is very important in refuge management to maximize yields ,” said Vaculin. “Also, on these new hybrids that have the corn root worm tolerant hybrids, they’re very expensive up front and an added $15 an acre can really protect that and get you maximum value. If growers are paying over $100 an acre for seed an extra $15 to make sure you get the maximum benefit from that seed is a pretty good deal.”

Conversation with Paul Vaculin