What appropriate steps should be taken to reduce the chances of cross-pollination from neighboring fields?
Begin by talking with your neighbor(s). Find out what hybrids are intended to be planted in each field and design a layout that will reduce the possibility of cross-pollination. Also, consider how each field lies with regard to the prevailing winds. Appropriate buffer strips (non-transgenic corn hybrid or an alternate crop such as soybean or forage) may need to be factored into the field layout. At harvest time, rows directly adjacent to the neighbor’s field may need to be harvested separately and marketed or utilized differently, perhaps fed on-farm or sold to a local feed mill.
