Canada Registers New Zinc Micronutrient Formula

WINNIPEG - Mar 2/04 - SNS -- Wolf Trax's new zinc micronutrient formulation has received registration approval for use in Canada.

The new zinc formulation is a DDP (Dry Dispersible Powder) product that makes the micronutrient immediately available as well as providing continuous feeding for the plant. The company said growers also have increased flexibility in application timing, which is especially important if applying zinc along with a herbicide, fungicide, or insecticide.

Kerry Green, Managing Director for Wolf Trax, said the company's product is delivered as a "very fine powder" that "mix more easily, and more quickly than traditional products" and have proven to be easier for plants to use.

"The DDP formulation combines the best features of sequestered micronutrient products, which are known for how quickly they are available, with the later availability of suspension formulations. Dual Action means that growing plants have access to the micronutrients when they're needed most," adds Green.

The company said recent studies of over 10,000 farmers' fields in western Canada showed 20% of land used for pulse crops is marginal or deficient in zinc. Only 7% of cereal fields were deficient in zinc.

"When existing deficiencies are corrected, growers can see real yield benefits," states Green. "However, micronutrients should only be applied when they are needed, and growers need good diagnostic tools, like soil or tissue tests to assess whether a deficiency exists."

In Canada, zinc is commonly used in corn, potatoes, beans and horticultural crops.

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