BASF's Headline received emergency use registration in Canada

BASF Canada has received emergency use registration from the Pest Management Regulatory Agency for the use of HEADLINE fungicide on sunflowers to protect the crop against a most serious leaf disease, sunflower rust.

"This emergency use registration comes at a very critical time for sunflower growers,” stated Darcelle Graham, Executive Director of the National Sunflower Association of Canada. “With the wet weather experienced in Manitoba this season, the environmental conditions are prime for disease, so this registration is welcome news to sunflower grower’s right across the province.”

Sunflower rust is a serious disease in Canada, with early infections reducing yields by anywhere from 25 to 50 per cent. According to the Manitoba disease survey, sunflower rust was present in 74 per cent of the surveyed fields in 2008.

Applied preventatively in research trials, HEADLINE has provided very good control of sunflower rust and shown excellent yield response.

"There are no other foliar fungicides currently registered for sunflower rust control in Canada,” said Wayne Barton, Brand Manager, Fungicides for BASF Canada. “This is great news for sunflower growers who still have time to protect their crop from this tough to manage disease and improve their yield.”

This emergency use registration was made possible through the cooperation of the National Sunflower Association of Canada, Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives and BASF Canada.