MADISON, WI (WTAQ) - The state Agriculture Department wants to know what people think about letting farmers treat their corn seeds with a non-lethal repellent.

The idea is to discourage sandhill cranes from eating the crop.

Officials are considering a policy to let farmers use Avipel Liquid Seed Treatment and Avipel Hopper Box corn treatment. Those products are not registered with the federal EPA – but they’ve been used under federal emergency exemptions.

Officials say that when cranes eat the treated corn, they’re repelled from doing it again.

The state Ag Department says people make comments in writing. Letters must be received by March 29th, and e-mails by March 31st.