Removal of lambda-cy products puts pressure on Pounce supplies

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Farmers and agronomists across Western Canada are understandably concerned about insecticide options for pest control in 2023. Following the late November announcement of lambda-cy-containing products Silencer and Matador being pulled from retail locations, many are wondering if the remaining available products will be in short supply for the year.

One of the alternative options for flea beetle and cutworm control is FMC Canada’s pyrethroid-containing product Pounce. Marketing manager Katrina Schmidt says they understand that growers are anxious about control options in ’23, but that FMC was already anticipating an increase in demand for ’23.

“FMC Canada was already planning on greater supply of Pounce and some of our other insecticides given the trajectory of their adoption in the market, and in anticipation of potentially elevated pest pressure in 2023… it’s just a matter of really working behind the scenes with everyone in the supply chain and operations logistics to see just how much more we can deliver to the market,” Schmidt says. “we were already looking to supply basically double what we sold into the market this past year.”

Given the incredible flea beetle pressure in ’22 alone, will double the supply be enough?

“It’s going to be a question of what is that X factor that we are able to deliver because flea beetles are an early season pest, that really means that we have to have all of the product available in the market in that April timeframe for growers to use,” she says. (story continues below)

Having a healthy supply of product is helpful, but there’s more to consider than just flea beetle control. Other pests, such as cutworm or aphids, can be an issue, and Schmidt says growers can look ahead to several products fitting in where needed, whether that’s Coragen Max or Carbine, a new product.

Eastern Canada will also be impacted, though, Pounce is less commonly used there. But lambda-cy products are used in Ontario, and it’s as yet unclear if Matador will be available with a modified label.

“Ultimately, I think we just want to make sure that, customers look at this as practically as much as possible. And I think communication will be key for us with our (retail) customers,” Schmidt says.

Related: Life without lambda-cy (for one year, at least)

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