Pesticide Drift Reduction Starts Now

Tag: Pesticide Sprayer

The number of drift complaints in 2007 regarding ground applications of ag pesticides rose significantly last year. The number received by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship increased by 36% compared to 2006 and was nearly double that of 2004.

The first step in preventing problems with drift is to develop an effective drift management strategy prior to the spray season, says Bob Hartzler, an Iowa State University Extension weed management specialist. Important considerations include:

    * Equipping sprayers with appropriate spray nozzles,
    * Effective use of drift retardants,
    * Sprayer set up - boom height, operating pressure and Pesticide Sprayer,
    * Identification of drift sensitive locations (organic production, vineyards or other high value crops, concerned neighbors), and
    * Proper education of personnel operating the sprayers.

"While advances in spraying technology have improved the ability of farmers and other sprayer operators to keep pesticides on target, successful management of drift ultimately relies on good judgment by the sprayer operator," says Hartzler.