News

Michigan Corn urges farmers to respond to EPA report

The Michigan Corn Growers Association says the EPA’s draft report that calls for a reduction in Atrazine use is based on flawed science.

Executive Director Jim Zook says farmers have been using Atrazine for more than fifty years and it is one of the most cost effective herbicides on the market.  “A recent study conducted in 2012 by the University of Chicago, they estimate that losing atrazine would actually cost farmers an additional $59 per acre to come in with a program that will do what our Atrazine can do for us.”  Zook says an increase in production costs could put farmers below break-even.

He tells Brownfield Atrazine has helped farmers combat the spread of resistant weeds, because the herbicide works well in a no-till farming operation it also has helped reduce soil erosion and fossil fuel consumption.  He says its loss would deal a serious blow to conservation efforts.

Zook says once the report is published for comment in the Federal Register, he urges farmers to express their support for Atrazine.

AUDIO: Interview with Jim Zook