MN DNR News Release......

[Lee Borgersen]

   .....MN DNR News Release

 
 
For Immediate Release:

March 1, 2021
 
 For more information: Contact DNR Information Center by email
or call 888-646-6367.
 
 
 

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Preliminary results from pesticide study show widespread neonicotinoid exposure in Minnesota white-tailed deer
Preliminary results of a study testing white-tailed deer spleens for presence of neonicotinoid pesticides show exposure of deer throughout the state, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
 
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Further analysis is required to determine if the levels of exposure seen are high enough to adversely affect deer health. Additional study results related to exposure levels will be available this spring.
 
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Neonicotinoids, often referred to as neonics, are the most widely used class of insecticides worldwide and are found in more than 500 commercial and domestic products in the U.S. They are present in a wide array of products used for insect control in homes, gardens, yards, and crops, as well as on pets.
 
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The DNR launched a research project in fall 2019 following a study conducted on captive deer in South Dakota that raised concerns about potential adverse effects of neonicotinoid exposure, including reduced fawn survival.
 
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The DNR asked Minnesota deer hunters to submit spleens from their harvested wild deer. Nearly 2,000 people requested sampling kits to participate in the study and 800 spleens were collected from all areas of the state.
 
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We wanted to know if wild deer in natural settings are being exposed to neonics and if certain habitat types had a higher risk, said Michelle Carstensen, DNR's wildlife health program supervisor. Minnesota is a great place to ask this question, as deer are dispersed across the forest, farmland, prairies, and urban landscapes. 

The DNR's preliminary results show that deer across the state have been exposed. Of the 800 deer spleens that hunters harvested in Minnesota during the 2019 hunting season, 61% of samples indicated exposure to neonicotinoids.

While these preliminary data focused on deer, Minnesota Department of Health believes there is likely little-to-no human health risk for consuming venison from deer that may have been exposed to neonicotinoids. These early findings suggest concentrations found in the deer spleen samples were far below the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's allowable levels for consumption of other foods, like fruit or beef, that may have neonicotinoid residue.
 
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The Minnesota DNR is planning additional sampling this fall and is exploring future research options on neonicotinoids in wildlife.
 
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We want to thank the hunters  who participated in this initial study, Carstensen said. Their contributions are essential to this important research.

Hunters who submitted samples in fall 2019 will be emailed the specific test results from their deer. Hunters who wish to contribute to future research can subscribe to the Deer Notes newsletter, which includes deer-related citizen science opportunities.
 
 

[Steve-o]

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Neonicotinoids, often referred to as neonics, are the most widely used class of insecticides worldwide and are found in more than 500 commercial and domestic products in the U.S. They are present in a wide array of products used for insect control in homes, gardens, yards, and crops, as well as on pets.

Makes you wonder how much of the stuff they would find if they tested human spleens. 

[glenn57]

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Neonicotinoids, often referred to as neonics, are the most widely used class of insecticides worldwide and are found in more than 500 commercial and domestic products in the U.S. They are present in a wide array of products used for insect control in homes, gardens, yards, and crops, as well as on pets.

Makes you wonder how much of the stuff they would find if they tested human spleens. 

just imagine what they'd find if they ever tested Dotch's liver!!!!!

i dont remember the last time i used a pesticide????? i will this summer as i had slugs in some of the roots of my wifes flowers. 

[snow1]

Our folks are a little behind the curve here...apparently our  folks were not aware of the studies in nebraska regarding neonis's and soil fertizer's the state linked to cancer,infact by the mid 90's the state of nebraska had the highest cancer death's per capita in our nation which were linked to faming practices so I was told by my contact in Kearny nebraska who is a commdity broker that is waist deep with these farmers and ranchers state wide,nothing was done to protect the folks,most cancer related deaths in the farming community were folks under 60years old.

[Steve-o]

Lots of articles here about neonicotinoids being linked to bees getting killed off.

https://beyondpesticides.org/dailynewsblog/category/chemicals/neonicotinoids/

[Dotch]

Doesn't appear to be a fawn survival issue around here other than that caused by coyotes!  When the DNR starts doing research, I cringe thinking about some of their moose research and other assorted agenda based studies. That said, I've never been a huge fan of the neonics, especially since seed and chemical companies started using them as prophylactic treatments. Most of what's used goes on as seed treatments. Used to be optional but now they are included as part of the seed treatment package along with a fungicide. Neonics work well for things like wireworms and bean leaf beetles and to a lesser extent soybean aphids where the effect is to synchronize the eventual postemerge treatments necessary anyway rather than provide season long control. That means you have to get off your dead ass and actually look at the field or fly your drone over it and if it looks suspicious, then get off your dead ass to make sure you know what the problem really is before blasting it with something you shouldn't.  The chemical industry's track record on IPM is terrible. Use of products when warranted is one thing. Use as part of shotgun treatments is another. I don't care if they yank the registration on the neonics or at least severely restrict their use. However, there are several neonics being used effectively for flea and tick control and for control of pests such as emerald ash borer. Be careful what you wish for.   

[Leech~~]

It's great that the DNR are finding new ways to look for issues.
My fear is everytime they find something new that may have always been in the herd. They feel the need to start making new laws and regulations and shooting.
Please find some devastating thing Wolves have, please! 😒

[delcecchi]

You can blame evil deer farmers for the CWD thing.      Deer/elk farming should have been shut down many years ago, when the first cwd cases started appearing.    And those tools like that guy who sold Wisconsin DNR a line of bull excrement about CWD 

[Lee Borgersen]

 Zebra mussels confirmed in Limestone Lake in Wright County

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The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has confirmed a report of zebra mussels in Limestone Lake, near Clearwater in Wright County.

A lake property owner reported finding a zebra mussel near his dock. An additional zebra mussel was found during a DNR snorkel search for zebra mussels.

Whether or not a lake has any invasive species, Minnesota law requires people to:

Clean watercraft, trailers and equipment to remove aquatic plants and prohibited invasive species.
Drain all water and leave drain plugs out during transport.
Dispose of unwanted bait in the trash.
Never release bait, plants or aquarium pets into Minnesota waters.
Dry docks, lifts and rafts for 21 days before moving them from one water body to another.
These additional steps reduce the risk of spreading aquatic invasive species:

Decontaminate watercraft and equipment � find free stations on the courtesy decontamination page of the DNR website (mndnr.gov/Decon).
Spray with high-pressure water or rinse with very hot water (120 degrees for at least two minutes or 140 degrees for at least 10 seconds).
Dry watercraft and equipment for at least five days before using in another water body.
Zebra mussels can compete with native species for food and habitat, cut the feet of swimmers, reduce the performance of boat motors, and cause expensive damage to water intake pipes.

People should contact a Minnesota DNR aquatic invasive species specialist (mndnr.gov/Invasives/AIS/Contacts.html) if they think they have found zebra mussels or any other invasive species.

More information is available on the aquatic invasive species page of the DNR website (mndnr.gov/AIS).