OKEMOS, Mich. – Read the label. That’s one message that the BeSure! campaign wants to get across.

The value of pollinators gets a lot of press these days. With that in mind, Growing Matters, an agricultural industry collaboration, kicked off its fourth annual BeSure! campaign to promote best management practices for producers using neonicotinoid products on farms and urban landscapes.

“The goal is to make sure people are using pesticides in a safe and effective way,” said Tom Smith, executive director of the National Pesticide Safety Education Center (NPSEC), one of Growing Matters coalition partners. “First and foremost, growers and applicators need to make sure that they read and follow the label directions on the product; that’s critical.”

Growers can do certain things to minimize the impact on pollinators, Smith said. For example, when they apply any pesticide, they should avoid times when pollinators are actively foraging. Typically, that will be during the day, so they should apply pesticides in the morning or evening.

“Growers should also avoid making any applications of products when there are flowering plants,” Smith said. “Pollinators will be attracted to the flowering plants; our growers do a good job of understanding their fields and where they can have buffers that are supporting pollinators. They would leave those buffers untreated.”

Another area is clean up, Smith said. Applicators should put rinse solutions back into the tank to spray out. Many pollinators will be attracted to a source of water, even if it is just a puddle. Applicators need to make sure they don’t leave any puddles where pollinators might come to drink.

“Some excellent programs are available that link beekeepers to pesticide applicators, and they have been effective,” Smith said. “A number of states have adopted these types of programs, and they continue to expand.”

Besides NPSEC, the BeSure! campaign has been endorsed by the American Seed Trade Association, National Corn Growers Association, CropLife America, the American Retailers Association and the American Soybean Association (ASA), among others.

“Farmers rely on many options to produce a safe, reliable crop – and neonicotinoid seed treatments are one of those options that help us grow a better soybean,” said ASA president and Arkansas soybean farmer Brad Doyle. “ASA is proud to support the BeSure! campaign each year, because we want all farmers to have awareness of proper usage guidelines and be a part of our industry conscience in managing pests while protecting pollinators and other wildlife we truly value.”

In addition to major crops like corn and soybeans, the BeSure! campaign includes fruits, nuts, vegetables, turf, trees and ornamental plants that are protected with neonicotinoid products.

 A consortium of companies committed to open and healthy scientific discussion on stewardship, benefits, and alternatives to neonicotinoid insecticides in North America fund Growing Matters. Besides NPSEC, members include Bayer, Syngenta, Valent U.S.A., BASF and Mitsui Chemicals Agro, Inc.

Farmers, applicators and others can visit the website http://growingmatters.org/besure for current stewardship tips and information.