The Texas Department of Agriculture has been granted approval by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to issue a Section 18 specific exemption allowing the use of anthraquinone (Avitec Liquid Seed Treatment) to repel sandhill crane from sweet and field corn seed.

Avitec-treated seed acts as a repellant to cranes, so they do not eat the planted corn seed before it has a chance to germinate.

Avitec Liquid Seed Treatment, manufactured by Arkion Life Sciences, may be applied following all directions, restrictions and precautions on the product exemption label. The exemption will expire July 31, 2008.

This exemption allows only certified applicators, licensed applicators or persons under the direct supervision of licensed applicators to apply the pesticide for this specific use.

For more information, contact your county Texas AgriLife Extension Service office or TDA at (512) 463-7544. A copy of the approval notice is located on the TDA Web site at www.tda.state.tx.us.