Itronics Inc., Reno, on Aug. 30 reported that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Itronics Metallurgical Inc., has filed a technical product registration application with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for the active repelling ingredient, denatonium benzoate, used in its GOLD’n GRO Guardian deer repellent fertilizer. When approved, Itronics Metallurgical will be the sole registrant in the United States for use of this ingredient in vertebrate animal repellents.
“Our deer repellent fertilizer is a key new product for Itronics, which will broaden our product offerings, reduce the seasonality issue with fertilizers, and give Itronics an opportunity to participate in a multi-billion dollar potential market,” said Dr. John Whitney, Itronics president. “It is very important that we progress with this new product and we intend to keep our investors aware of our achievements.”
EPA has accepted the registration application, which could be completed within four months. Itronics Metallurgical is also continuing to advance towards completing and filing the registration application for GOLD’n GRO Guardian. Samples of the repelling component product have been submitted to a laboratory to develop technical information required to complete the application. Itronics believes it is on schedule to complete the registration of GOLD’n GRO Guardian deer repellent fertilizer late in the first quarter or early in the second quarter of 2008.
Plans are being developed for manufacturing, marketing, and a major sales launch in the second quarter of next year. “The company previously announced an agreement to enter into a long term supply arrangement with a large foreign manufacturer of the repelling ingredient,” said Dr. Whitney. “Not only will Itronics Metallurgical have an agreement for reliable supply of a critical ingredient which is not manufactured within the United States, it will have the only product registration for this ingredient to be used in animal repellents in the United States.”
The company says the product repels deer without harming them while it also improves the growth of the fertilized plants. The treatment is systemic, which means that the repelling characteristics are taken into the plant and cannot wash off when it rains. Field tests have shown that plants treated in the fall will retain their repelling characteristics during the winter, a major benefit.
The national annual market for deer repellent products is growing rapidly and is estimated to exceed $50 million, says Itronics. Deer damage in the U.S. is a large and growing problem. According to a report by Cornell Cooperative Extension, Ithaca, N.Y., the deer population has grown from 500,000 nationwide in the early 1900’s to more than 15 million today. Annual estimates of deer damage are reported to exceed $2 billion nationwide, including more than $250 million in agricultural crop damage, and damage to metropolitan households in the northeastern U.S. alone.