Supporting New York Field Crop Growers for 2029 Neonicotinoid Seed Treatment Regulations

Recorded June 16, 2026

Download transcript (PDF)
Q&A
Links

Description

With upcoming Birds and Bees Act regulations in 2029 expected to significantly shape pest management decisions for New York field crop growers, both challenges and opportunities lie ahead. This presentation outlines efforts by Cornell University to proactively support growers through this transition. We highlight approaches to predict pest risks under changing regulatory conditions, clarify common misconceptions about pest management tools and alternatives, and provide science-based guidance to support effective and economically viable decisions. This work integrates research, extension, and stakeholder engagement to ensure growers are well prepared to adapt while maintaining productivity and advancing sustainable pest management practices.

Alejandro Calixto (Cornell IPM)

Alejandro Calixto (Cornell IPM)

As Director of Cornell University’s Integrated Pest Management Program (Cornell IPM), Alejandro Calixto leads a team of scientists and extension specialists in entomology, plant pathology, weed science, and pesticide safety. Together, they pioneer ecologically resilient pest management practices that promote safer farms, homes, schools and communities.

Prior to joining Cornell IPM, Calixto spent more than two decades developing strategies to reduce the impact of pests across both public and private sectors. As a research scientist at Texas A&M University, he focused on invasive species and the management of urban and agricultural pests, while developing pest prediction systems. At Dow AgroSciences/Corteva Agriscience, he contributed to the creation of crop protection tools for managing insect pests and plant pathogens, supporting both IPM and resistance management programs.

Calixto has contributed to integrated pest management projects around the world, including in Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, and New Zealand. He is currently leading efforts to make IPM more accessible to marginalized and non-English speaking communities.

Scott McArt (Cornell University)

Scott McArt (Cornell University)

Scott McArt is an assistant professor of pollinator health in the Department of Entomology at Cornell University, where he helps run the Dyce Lab for honey bee studies and the Cornell Chemical Ecology Core Facility.

Dr. McArt earned his BA from Dartmouth College, his MS from the University of Alaska-Anchorage, and his PhD from Cornell University. He spent two years as a USDA postdoctoral fellow at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst prior to starting as a non-tenure track Research Scientist at Cornell Entomology in 2014. In 2017, he started as a tenure-track assistant professor.

Q&A

Q. Would the pest risk assessment be amenable to site history and risk factors? e.g., planting into a cover crop greatly enhances the risk of corn seed maggot pressure. Would evidence of past infestations suffice?

A. Great question. The Cornell IPM team and Dr. Katja Poveda’s lab are actively researching this topic (i.e., do cover crops or other common field preparation protocols) impact SCM pressure. I believe Alejandro will show some of this data shortly.

Q. Are there concerns that the burden of the waiver process might incentivize growers to make soil-applications at planting of things like OPs and pyrethroids?

A. Another great question. There is a sociologist looking into this and other related questions regarding behavior. It’s too early to share results but this is very important to consider.

Q. Does the legislation allow for enhanced insurance or indemnity for growers where a model/forecast shows low risk, but losses occur due to lack of ability to use a seed treatment?

A. Not to my knowledge, though it would be worth checking with Alejandro or NYS Ag & Mkts. When we published our 432-page risk-benefit analysis, this was one of our conclusions (i.e., seed treatments are being used as inexpensive crop insurance, so perhaps alternative forms of insurance should be more formally recognized).

Q. Will NY growers be able to purchase seed without neonicotinoid treatment? That is, rather, are the seed companies on board to support their customers’ compliance?

A. The IPM team (especially Alejandro) are very actively interacting with seed companies on this topic. He will be able to give the most up-to-date info on commitments from the seed industry.

Q. Adding to the seed availability question--for corn and soybeans, purchase decisions are often made well-ahead of planting. Availability of untreated seed is a big question, but so would availability of seed with a diamide or alternatives treatment--compounded by the seed treatment packages (often including fungicides, nematicides, biologicals, etc.) that are often bundled to specific variety/hybrid options by certain companies. The logistics are difficult and not amenable to last minute decisions.

A. Great point and agreed. In my opinion, this is one of the major reasons why implementation of the legislation in 2029 is excellent. It gives sufficient time to get ducks in a row. That is my opinion.

Q. With neonics being ubiquitous for such a long time, do you think we might be seeing “area wide suppression”? What do you think will happen for pest pressure after 10 years without seed treatments being used extensively?

A. Excellent question. Others may have a different opinion, but my opinion is that this is unlikely. SCM adults are ubiquitous throughout NY (see the yellow sticky card data from earlier in Alejandro’s talk). But this does not translate to high damage. For this reason, I don’t buy the argument that area-wide suppression is currently occurring. There are just too many adults that are currently out there. But that is my opinion and other may have different opinions.

Q. Are the seed corn maggots feeding preferentially on non-seed organic materials in the field? (And that’s why there’s basically no damage seen from SCM in the field?) Or are they perhaps being kept in check by biological control?

A. Great question. I don’t know this off of the top of my head and will defer to Alejandro (or Katja Poveda or members of her team).

Q. Is there any research on resistance issues resulting from widespread use of neonicotinoid seed? Spinosad is a key pesticide in the toolkit for organic specialty crops -- is there concern about wider use on seeds from a resistance standpoint?

A. This is an active area of research. Too early to share results.

Q. You collected yield data for field corn used for silage. Did you also collect bushels per acre?

A. I believe so, but I’ll defer to Katja Poveda because her team coordinated these trials in collaboration with Cornell IPM.