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Ontario Grain Farmer Magazine

Use of Manipulator on the 2016 Ontario Wheat Crop

Joint statement from Grain Farmers of Ontario and the Ontario Agri Business Association

GUELPH, ON (February 19, 2016) – Over the past several weeks, Grain Farmers of Ontario and the Ontario Agri Business Association (OABA) have been involved in a broad industry discussion regarding the serious implications of using Manipulator™ (chlormequat chloride) as a growth regulator on the 2016 Ontario wheat crop. With particular emphasis on the fact that Manipulator™ has not yet received approval for use in the United States, OABA and Grain Farmers of Ontario have liaised with Ontario flour millers, wheat exporters, and Engage Agro (the Canadian distributor for Manipulator™) to discuss the implications of using this product on the 2016 Ontario wheat crop.

It is essential that all industry supply chain participants (including growers, ag-retailers, country grain elevators, terminal grain elevators, feed mills, flour mills, etc.) are fully aware of the following facts.

  • Manipulator™ is a plant growth regulator for use in wheat.
  • Manipulator™ is approved for use in Canada and the European Union on cereals, but approval has NOT yet been obtained for use of the product in the United States.
  • Without product approval, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency currently has a zero tolerance for any residues of the product (active ingredient).
  • Many Ontario country and terminal grain elevators have already established policies confirming that they will not be accepting wheat that has been treated with Manipulator™. OABA encourages all OABA ag-retail, grain elevator, and feed manufacturing members to communicate the seriousness of this situation with wheat growing customers.
  • Ontario flour millers (P&H Milling Group, ADM Milling, and Ardent Mills) have formally issued letters to suppliers that they will not accept wheat that has been treated with Manipulator™ (chlormequat chloride).
  • Grain Farmers of Ontario encourages Ontario farmers NOT to use Manipulator™ on the 2016 Ontario wheat crop due to the inherent market risk.

OABA and Grain Farmers of Ontario recommend that ag-retailers and grain elevators communicate with wheat growers the serious consequences associated with the application of Manipulator™ on the 2016 wheat crop, and that all members of the wheat supply chain ensure that Manipulator™ is NOT used on the 2016 Ontario wheat crop.

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Grain Farmers of Ontario
Grain Farmers of Ontario is the province’s largest commodity organization, representing Ontario’s 28,000 barley, corn, oat, soybean, and wheat farmers. The crops they grow cover over 6 million acres of farm land across the province, generate over $4.1 billion in production value, result in over $27 billion in economic output and are responsible for over 90,000 jobs in the province.