January 30, 2012

Canadian Food Inspection Agency approves Loveland Products' Awaken ST

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has given approval to Loveland Products' seed treatment Awaken ST, a new liquid formulation of a seed-applied nutrient for use on wheat, barley, oat and corn crops.

The Colorado-based firm's product will be distributed by input retailer UAP Canada, and will be sold as one of UAP's "Nutritionals" products, the company said.

Awaken ST's micronutrient package including 5% zinc plus boron, copper, iron, manganese and molybdenum, the company said.

The combination "helps develop a larger, more extensive root system, quicker emergence, greater plant biomass and improved plant health and vigour," said UAP product manager Eric Gregory at Oak Bluff, Man.

Research by Joel Ranson of North Dakota State University research has shown a "significant increase in plant emergence and an 8%-plus yield increase when compared to untreated seed," UAP said.

The company also claims Awaken ST's formulation -- a clear, dark-green-coloured liquid -- differs from other registered seed-applied nutrients in that it can be applied using "traditional" treating equipment.

Awaken "can be applied on its own, blended or applied sequentially with traditional chemical-based fungicide or insecticide seed treatments," said Jeff Crampton, general manager of Loveland Canada, an affiliate of Agrium-owned UAP and manufacturer of UAP's crop protection line.