Unfortunately the Sandhill also enjoy eating corn seedlings on the flats of central Wisconsin. The Environmental Protection
Agency has recently approved the chemical anthraquinone to help the farmers keep the Sandhill off their cornfields. This chemical
was originally targeted for problem large Canada geese. The difference between the regular high flying Canada Geese and the
large Canada Geese is the size and weight. The large Canada goose migration path is much shorter and it becomes a problem
to city parks, golf courses and other more natural habitats in municipalities. It is also claiming to repel blackbirds, geese,
cowbirds, robins, starlings, pigeons, horned lark and gulls. These claims are not supported. The EPA test results indicate
that the compound is practically nontoxic to fish. EPA also believes that because of the low toxicity that this chemical presents,
there is nonexistent risk to wildlife.
The Sandhill crane can do some unbelievable damage to a newly planted cornfield. With this product being approved maybe
the Sandhill crane and the farmer can co-exist.
