LITTLE FALLS, N.J., May 13 /PRNewswire/ -- In the war against insects that
feed on grain put in storage, nonchemical methods of pest control have been
playing an increasing role over the last decade. But with the limited arsenal
of chemical and fumigant products currently available, combating real or
potential resistance to insecticides is a growing concern for major storage
firms and the entomologists that advise them.
"Because grain storage companies have been emphasizing nonchemical
approaches, the stored grain insecticide market has remained rather flat, and
crop protection companies haven't devoted a lot of new product development
resources to this area," says Mancer Cyr, senior associate for Kline &
Company's Agribusiness Practice. "A lack of affordable alternatives to what's
being used now could ultimately lead to a real problem with resistance."
While the stored grain segment of the insecticides market is dwarfed by
pre-harvest applications, it is still an important one. The USDA reports that
between 11 billion and 13 billion bushels of grain are stored, moved, and
stored again in the U.S. in a typical year. At every point in its movement and
storage, from field to farm storage, to elevator, and then to a processor or
feedlot, grain is susceptible to invasion by insects like weevils, moths, and
beetles. Controlling these pests is a critical part of managing the inventory
at every stage.
In the last few decades, however, both on-farm and off-farm facilities run
by processors, middlemen, and large grain storage firms like Archer Daniels
Midland and Cargill have significantly enhanced their nonchemical pest control
efforts. Improved sanitation, regular inspections, and temperature and
moisture control have allowed the operators of these facilities to reduce the
amount of chemicals and fumigants they use for insect treatments. Diatomaceous
earth, a naturally occurring siliceous rock, has also been used as a
replacement for some chemical insecticides.
Still, some insecticide treatment is necessary, primarily with fumigants
and a few mature insecticide chemicals, and this is the underlying problem.
"The history of insecticides suggests that if more new actives aren't
introduced to replace the old standbys, sooner or later the old standbys won't
work anymore," Cyr says. "Price is a driving factor in determining whether a
product gets used, so the insecticide producers need to be innovative but
still deliver on cost and performance--no small challenge for companies in a
niche segment."
Kline's recently published market study, THE U.S. MARKET FOR STORED GRAIN
INSECTICIDES 2004, examines chemical and nonchemical control methods of
off-farm and on-farm treatments for stored grain. It provides estimates of the
quantities, forms, and values of chemical products used on corn, wheat,
soybeans, and rice in this market segment.
For more information on the study, go to http://www.klinegroup.com/Y54401.htm or
contact Dennis Fugate at 410-418-8934 or dennis_fugate@klinegroup.com. In
Europe, contact Jonathan Duff at +32-2-776-0738 or
jonathan.duff@kline-europe.com.
Established in 1959, Kline & Company (http://www.klinegroup.com) is an
international business consulting and market research firm serving clients
worldwide in the agribusiness, biotechnology, and life sciences sectors.
SOURCE Kline & Company
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Related links:
http://www.klinegroup.com
CONTACT:
Dennis Fugate, Industry Manager,
+1-410-418-8934, dennis_fugate@klinegroup.com, In Europe, contact
Jonathan Duff, +32-2-776-0738, jonathan.duff@kline-europe.com,
both of Kline & Company
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