YieldGard® Rootworm (YGRW) insect-protected corn is genetically improved corn that provides consistent control of western corn rootworm, northern corn rootworm and Mexican corn rootworm throughout the growing season. Insect Resistance Management (IRM) is a requirement when purchasing YGRW corn. Failure to follow the IRM guidelines and properly plant a refuge may result in a loss of access to YGRW. Please do your part to ensure the YGRW technology is preserved by fully cooperating in refuge management.

Download the 2007 IRM brochure here »

Refuge Requirements In The Corn Belt

On each farm, plant up to 80 percent of corn acres with YGRW corn. Plant at least 20 percent of the corn acres to a corn refuge that does not contain a B.t. technology for control of western, northern and Mexican corn rootworm. The corn refuge can be treated for corn rootworm larvae and other pests with soil-applied, seed-applied or other foliar insecticides. The corn refuge can be treated with a non-B.t. insecticide to control late-season pests such as corn borer or corn rootworm adults, however, the YGRW corn must also be treated. Corn refuge options cannot include another B.t. product for corn rootworm management.

Refuge Planting Requirements

• Plant a refuge on every farm where YGRW corn hybrids are planted at the same time as the YGRW corn.
• Mixing non-B.t. seed with YGRW seed for use in the refuge is not permitted.
• Plant the refuge and YGRW corn to fields with similar crop history. For example, if the field planted to YGRW was corn the previous year, then the refuge must also be planted in a field that was planted to corn the previous year.

Refuge Configuration Options

• Split the planter to alternate at least four consecutive rows of corn refuge with YGRW corn.
• Plant a corn refuge adjacent to each YGRW corn field.
• Plant a corn refuge as large strips or blocks within a YGRW field.
• Plant field perimeters or end rows to a corn refuge.