Field evaluation of anthraquinone treatment to reduce corn seedling damage by birds

Corn consumption by birds is a costly problem in North America, yet growers have limited effective options for managing crop losses. Most research has focused on reducing bird conflicts in ripening corn fields, however, growers also report damage to newly-planted corn seeds and seedlings. We conducted a study of corn losses caused by birds on newly planted and emerging corn seedlings within fields in eastern and northern New York State during 2016–2018. A 97-day corn hybrid was selected with a typical insecticide and fungicide seed treatment package from Dairyland (DS 9791RA) in order to minimize other possible confounding variables. Each trial field (n = 5 in 2016; n = 16 in 2017; n = 20 in 2018) included a split-plot design on 2.02 ha (5 acres). Corn seed on half of each trial field 1.01 ha (2.5 acres) was treated with Avipel Shield (anthraquinone, AQ) and the other half was left untreated. Results from these field trials showed that the seed treatment with AQ reduced corn pulling by birds (primarily American crows) and increased plant populations during all 3 years. However, corn silage yield was similar between control and treatment blocks in trial fields, and was not impacted by seed treatment with AQ. Still growers believed the added repellent cost was justified to maintain high corn plant counts in spring and have at least the potential for better yields at harvest.