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Ontario's Worst Sprayer Operator

The spring of 2010 has been frustrating to say the least. Depending on your location in Ontario, many different factors have proved to be a hindrance to getting the job done. These factors included; fields too dry or too wet, the date on the calendar, rainfall, fields too wet, wind, weeds bigger than the crop, weeds too big to spray, planting then trying to do a burndown and many more. From my standpoint, the continuing incidence of off-target spray drift is really upsetting. There have been numerous articles written talking about things sprayer operators should do to manage and hopefully avoid drift. When drift events occur, it is obvious that the message is not getting through. This calls for a drastic change in tactics. New for 2010, we are looking for Ontario's Worst Sprayer Operator.

Figure 1. Ontario's Worst Sprayer Operator Logo

Things we Know

• spray drift is avoidable but you may not like all the options
• wind can carry off very small spray droplets
• all nozzles produce some driftable fines
• air induction nozzles significantly reduce spray drift
• air induction nozzles are not drift proof
• windmeters give accurate wind speeds in the field at time of spraying
• you have to use a windmeter to know the actual wind speed
• product labels are getting better at providing information on acceptable spray conditions
• spray condition forecasting programs provide information up to three days out on suitable conditions factoring in droplet size and boom height
• everyone who sprays or supervises that person is trained
• jockeys ride horses and shouldn't drive sprayers
• you can't measure wind speed from inside the cab
• spray drift is an offence and you could be charged and/or fined under the Environmental Protection Act
• off-target drift can be costly

Every year more and more information on spraying comes out. This may be information on new chemistry with new modes of action or targeted to crop pests and diseases. It may be information on new nozzles. It may be information on nozzle configuration to get the spray droplets to the area of the crop to control a certain pest. Sprayer operators are exposed to this information but sometimes forget the basics of spraying. The science of droplet behavior in the environment doesn't change just because of a new or improved product. You are still using nozzles to produce droplets and using a sprayer to distribute these droplets uniformly across acres of crop land. Sprayer operators should be getting smarter but sometimes you wonder. With the internet, everyone is getting smarter. Even the bystander who is next door to the spraying operation knows what spray drift is and what should be done to minimize or eliminate spray drift. Ask the neighbour what the wind speed was when you we spraying next door. Chances are they may just be able to do that.

Figure 2. Nomination form for "Ontario's Worst Sprayer"

How to Stay out of the Headlines

You really don't want to win the title of Ontario's Worst Sprayer Operator. If you are judged to be Ontario's Worst Sprayer Operator it means you are a hazard to everyone with crop growing around the fields you are spraying. You obviously don't do everything you could to minimize the risk of spray drift. You have to face the facts that there will be times when you just can't spray. You will be famous for all the wrong reasons. The candidates for this contest aren't just involved in agriculture. Contractors who spray roadsides are also prime candidates for the Worst Sprayer Operator title.

Whenever off-target spray drift occurs there are many excuses given as to why it occurred. Unfortunately, there are no reasons that off-target drift should occur. Sprayer operators have numerous options available to control drift onto adjacent crops. Make sure you choose the best option to prevent spray drift to avoid charges, monetary penalties and bad neighbour relations that usually result.

Roundup Ready crops have provided farmers a weed control strategy that allows spraying well into the growing season. Unfortunately, most other crops are also up and growing at this time. As we get later into the season, sprayer operators need to adjust their sprayer for maximum drift reduction. As the crops and weeds get taller, operators have to increase their boom height. The drift potential increases as one increases boom height. Wind speeds tend to increase the higher the boom is above the canopy.

Figure 1. What are the odds of a field being hit from both the east and the west?

Spray Drift Cases Already this Year

• Spray Drift X 2 - Not bad enough to be drifted on from the west, two weeks later the same field is again assaulted by spray drift from the east.
• Whole orchard touched by drift from an adjacent field
• Whole garden wiped out from field spraying activity
• Roadside spraying drifting onto vegetable field