The percentage of corn growers adhering to insect resistant management (IRM) requirements rose significantly in 2003, marking the fourth year of an upward trend in compliance.
According to results of an annual survey required by the Environmental Protection Agency, 92% of farmers met regulatory requirements for IRM refuge size, while 93% met refuge distance requirements, an increase from 87% and 82% reported respectively in 2000 when the survey began.
A total of 550 growers responded to the survey, conducted by an independent research firm last year during the growing season.