Bayer expands label for BUTEO seed treatment in Western Canada

The Crop Science Division of Bayer announced the registration of BUTEO^® start in Western Canada for mustard, providing best-in-class protection against striped and crucifer flea beetles. The market-leading insecticide seed treatment has been trusted by canola growers since 2020 to deliver superior and immediate protection in areas of high flea beetle pressure.

″The damage caused by flea beetles at the start of the season impacts crop development long-term and can lead to significant yield loss,″ says Bryan Bryson, Marketing Portfolio Lead for Traits and Licensing at Bayer Crop Science. ″With BUTEO start, Canadian mustard growers now have a best-in-class solution to fight back and better protect their crop from these pests.″

Flea beetles attack when plants are at their most vulnerable in the first few weeks after emergence. This can lead to crop losses of up to 10 per cent in areas of high flea beetle pressure, according to the Canola Council of Canada. Protecting plants from day one using BUTEO start provides the critical early defence needed for the crop to grow in strong.

Canadian mustard growers face many of the same pest pressures as canola, but with fewer solutions available. BUTEO start offers targeted, immediate and effective flea beetle protection to help reduce the need for in-crop rescue treatments. It works well when combined with industry standard base seed treatments and can also be paired with cutworm treatments, allowing growers to customize their pest management strategy.

The Group 4D insecticide (flupyradifurone) delivers rapid uptake and systemic translocation from cotyledon to leaf margins, enabling a quicker-growing canopy and uniform flowering, even in dry conditions where flea beetles thrive.

″Seed treatments are the best line of defence against flea beetles because they protect young seedlings right as they emerge from the ground,″ says Bryson. ″Western Canadian farmers continue to trust BUTEO start to protect their crop against early flea beetle pressure and prime it for stronger plant emergence and yield stand.″

Bayer is committed to delivering industry-leading integrated solutions that improve both production and stewardship on-farm. BUTEO start will be available in Western Canada for mustard for the 2025 growing season.