Seeds treated with a pesticide, including insecticides and fungicides, need to be handled carefully to prevent contamination of animal feed or grain. Treated seeds are brightly colored to distinguish them from other seeds. Even one treated seed can contaminate a truckload or storage bin of harvested corn, soybeans or other products, and the farmer may be held financially responsible.
To prevent contamination:
After you haul treated seed, pressure wash all equipment, including gravity boxes, truck beds, and wagons and all equipment and visually inspect it to be sure no seeds remain. If you cannot do this, don't use the equipment to handle harvested seed or grain.
Store treated seed separate from untreated seed and grain.
Keep treated seed separate from animal feed to prevent animals from sickness or death.
Do not leave treated seed in the open where birds or other animals can eat it.
Store unused treated seed securely and away from grain storage areas, return it to your seed supplier, or take it to a sanitary landfill.
For more information on disposal options, see The Guide to Seed Treatment Stewardship.
Print and post this sign as a reminder to handle treated seed with great care and caution:
Back to main Seed page