NEW
FLUENCY
AGENT
Bayer CropScience
from
Fluency Agent FAQ
Fluency Agent is a new farmer-applied seed flow lubricant from Bayer CropScience. The use of Fluency Agent is required by
Health Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) during the 2014 planting season for neonicotinoid treated
corn and soybean seeds.
Bayer CropScience understands that growers have questions regarding the new Fluency Agent, and we want to help address
some of the most frequently asked questions from growers as they prepare to use this product for the first time.
Q
What is Fluency Agent?
A
Fluency Agent, from Bayer CropScience, is a new corn and soybean seed flow lubricant designed to replace talc,
graphite and blended talc/graphite seed flow lubricants. It’s a white polyethylene-wax-based powder designed to reduce
dust released during planting. When used and applied as directed, Fluency Agent reduces the potential risk of exposure
to pollinators from neonicotinoid treated seed.
Q
Why is it important to use?
A
Fluency Agent reduces risk of exposure to bees from active ingredient from neonicotinoid treated seed during planting.
It does this by reducing the amount of active ingredient that is released from the planter exhaust. Lab studies showed a
reduction of 65 per cent when compared to talc. Because of this the PMRA has made it mandatory that Fluency Agent
be the only seed flow lubricant used with neonicotinoid treated corn and soybeans.
Q
How will Fluency Agent impact my planting?
A
Fluency Agent will not affect planting. Comments from farmers who participated in field trials were that Fluency Agent
performed as well or better than talc, graphite and blended talc/graphite seed flow lubricants.
Q How much do I use? What is the rate?
A
Proper use rate is important. One 400 g container of Fluency Agent treats 50 units (50 bags) of seed (1 tote or bulk
tender unit) or approximately 125 acres of corn.
1/8 of a cup (measured using the green measuring scoop provided) treats one unit (1 bag) of seed.
Note: This rate is much lower than talc and graphite and it is important not to over apply as performance will be affected.
Q
Do I have to use Fluency Agent when I plant corn and soybeans?
A
Fluency Agent is the only seed flow lubricant the PMRA permits for use with neonicotinoid treated corn and
soybean seed.
Q
If I don’t use a seed flow lubricant, do I need to use Fluency Agent?
A
If you do not use a seed flow lubricant, then you do not need to use Fluency Agent. Other cases where Fluency Agent
is not required include:
a. farmers not planting neonicotinoid treated seed (for example, seed treated with a fungicide-only seed treatment); and
b. farmers who use a mechanical lubricant only. For example, farmers not using vacuum planters will often use graphite
as a mechanical lubricant, as in the case with planters that use finger pickups. Even though Fluency Agent is not
mandated in this case, it has been proven to perform to the same level as graphite. Fluency Agent can be used with
all makes and types of planters.
Q
Why aren’t the pails filled up to the top?
A
Bayer CropScience recognizes that a smaller pail/container would be more suitable, but in order to bring Fluency Agent
to market on time, this was the best available option.
Q
At what temperature should Fluency Agent be stored?
A
Fluency Agent is very stable, and storage temperature should not be a concern. Bayer CropScience has tested the
product in many environments, including temperatures common in cold Canadian winters and during hot, sunny days
when planter hoppers/containers become very heated. In all cases, the product has remained uniform, and performance
has not been altered.
Q
How should farmers apply Fluency Agent when using centre-fill hoppers?
A
When it comes to application, proper distribution of the product is important. In the case of centre-fill hoppers, farmers
have a couple of effective options:
a. as the seed is loading, apply Fluency Agent intermittently and directly into the hopper with the seed; or
b. as the seed is loading, apply Fluency Agent intermittently onto the conveyor or auger as the seed is being carried
to the hopper.
One 400 g container of Fluency Agent treats 50 units (50 bags) of seed (1 tote or bulk tender unit). 1/8 of a cup
(measured using the green measuring scoop provided) treats one unit (1 bag) of seed.
Q
How should farmers add Fluency Agent when loading the planter with a tote or Probox?
A
Put Fluency Agent on top of the seed in tote or Probox and disperse it with a stick or a gloved hand to make sure it is not
in a clump before emptying into planter.
Q
How should farmers apply Fluency Agent when using individual-seed hoppers?
A
When using individual-seed hopper units (seed boxes), farmers should apply Fluency Agent after a bag of seed is loaded.
Following this, seed and Fluency Agent should be given a simple, quick stir using a stick or an appropriately gloved hand.
Q
Does Fluency Agent clump?
A
After testing the product on more than 40,000 acres of corn and soybeans in North America, including 13,000 acres
in Ontario and Quebec, Bayer CropScience did not have an issue with Fluency Agent “clumping”. Growers should
always follow the label and never overuse Fluency Agent or performance will be affected. Make sure to disperse Fluency
Agent in the seed.
Q
Why has the PMRA mandated the use of Fluency Agent?
A
Fluency Agent was shown to reduce the potential risk of exposure to pollinators from treated seeds by significantly
decreasing the amount of insecticide active ingredient released in treated seed dust during planting.
Q
What is the cost of Fluency Agent?
A
One 400 g container of Fluency Agent is sold at an SRP of $23.99, or approximately 19 cents/acre. One container treats
50 units (bags), or approximately 125 acres of corn.
Fluency Agent is a stewardship initiative for Bayer CropScience and the agriculture industry.
Q
Will Fluency Agent work with my make and model of planter?
A
Fluency Agent can be used with all makes and models of planters.
Q
Will Fluency Agent affect planting accuracy?
A
When used according to the label directions, Fluency Agent was rated as equal to or better than other seed flow
lubricants. Testing on 40,000 acres in 2013 showed no difference in skips, doubles or drops as compared to talc,
graphite or talc/graphite blended seed flow lubricants.
Q
Where can I buy Fluency Agent?
A
Seed companies are distributing the product in 2014 and the best time to purchase your Fluency Agent is during
seed pickup.
For Pollinator Protection Best Management Practices, go to Health Canada’s pollinator protection page:
www.healthcanada.gc.ca/pollinators
T. 1 888-283-6847
BayerCropScience.ca or 1 888-283-6847 or contact your Bayer CropScience representative.
Always read and follow label directions.
Bayer CropScience is a member of CropLife Canada.