I am happy to find you are on good terms with your neighbors. It is almost the most important circumstance in life, since nothing is so corroding as

Transcription

1 I am happy to find you are on good terms with your neighbors. It is almost the most important circumstance in life, since nothing is so corroding as frequently to meet persons with whom one has any difference. Thomas Jefferson, in a letter to his daughter, 1791

2 Introduction A Risk to Conventional and Specialty Crops In agriculture, pesticides serve as important tools to protect crops from pests. However, every crop has a neighboring crop that may be sensitive to those pesticides. Pesticide that moves through the air and escapes to other areas is pesticide drift. When pesticides are applied, the person applying them is responsible for using techniques that reduce the possibility of drift. Conventional crops such as corn, wheat, and soybeans; and specialty crops such as grapes, horseradish, and organic soybeans are each sensitive to one type of pesticide or another. It is important that neighbors talk to each other about their crops and that pesticides are used with techniques that reduce drift. This brochure examines the importance of communication among neighbors and the consequences of drift for growers of conventional crops and growers of specialty crops how applicators can reduce the effects of drift how growers of specialty crops can reduce the impact of pesticide drift to their crop how the official misuse complaint process works after a drift incident The physical movement of a pesticide through air at the time of application or soon thereafter, to any site other than that intended for application. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, definition of spray drift The cost of pesticide drift does not always have a dollar value. Even when a dollar cost is assigned, it can differ greatly depending on the type of spray drift and what it contacts. Pesticide drift can harm both the neighbor and the applicator. Consider the ways that pesticide drift can impact neighboring crops and other areas. Often the first thing that comes to mind is a reduction in the yield to either conventional or specialty crops. Some specialty crops are grown for characteristics that make them more susceptible to pesticide drift. For instance, when the appearance of fruit or the overall appearance of the plant is important, even a small amount of pesticide drift could ruin the entire crop. Drift can also lead to unwanted residues on both conventional and specialty crops. The problem may be an excess of an approved chemical, residues of an unapproved chemical, or residues from pesticide drift remaining on the crop at harvest. Field workers or nearby people could be exposed to pesticide drift and become ill. Because many specialty crops involve more hand labor than conventional crops, there is an elevated risk that pesticide drift may expose people to pesticides, either directly or through residues. Neighboring pesticide applicators should be sensitive to the investment needed for some crops. Organic crops are grown in fields that cannot have had pesticides applied to them for at least three years. This process is time consuming and expensive. While the presence of a detectable pesticide residue doesn t automatically void a grower s organic certification, neighbors need to be cognizant of nearby organic fields. Pesticide drift may have environmental consequences and should be a concern for applicators and growers of all crops. For example, many plants rely on bees for pollination. Insecticide drifting onto pollinating plants can have disastrous results for both bees and plants. One factor that the EPA considers during pesticide registration is pesticide residue and human exposure caused by pesticide drift. If research indicates that people or the environment are being excessively exposed to a pesticide, some uses for that pesticide may be limited or eliminated. Growers can lose useful pest control tools because of continuing problems with pesticide drift.

3 Consider: The Consequences Whether you are an applicator, a grower of specialty crops, or a grower of conventional crops, think about pesticide drift from the other person s viewpoint. If pest pressure is severe and yield loss is imminent, but conditions are not suitable for spraying, what can happen if an application is made hastily? Here are examples of herbicide drift damaging conventional crops and organic crops. These are just a few issues; there are likely many more. David Riecks ITCS Conventional crops The direct effect of spray drift damage might be reduced yield. The impact of reduced yield lasts for the entire growing season and may or may not affect the following crop. Other possible negative effects could include illegal residues in the harvested product and the possibility of carry-over damage to the next season s crop if pesticide residues in the soil don t have time to break down. These effects are all potential costs to the grower. The costs to the applicator could include expensive civil litigation or settlements, higher insurance premiums, damaged reputation in the business and community, and possible misuse fines or revocation of the applicator s license. Organic crops The direct effect of spray drift damage might also be reduced yield, with possible effects to the grower s organic certification. The impact to yield lasts the entire season, but any effect to the grower s certification has the potential of lasting for three additional years. Other possible negative effects could include illegal residues in the harvested product, the possibility of carry-over damage to the crop during the next growing season, and even possible problems (and costs) arising from organic livestock being fed silage that contains pesticide residues. These effects are potential costs to the grower. The costs to the applicator could include very expensive litigation or settlements, higher insurance premiums, damaged reputation in the business and community, and possible misuse fines or revocation of the applicator s license. Drift-Reducing Nozzles* Nozzle Droplet spectra Pressure, Characteristic uses* at 40 psi* psi* Extended range F C** Contact products Pre-orifice M VC Systemic products Turbo-Teejet M VC Systemic products Venturi C XC Soil applied and systemic Turbo-Flood XC Incorporated soil applied RA-Raindrop XC Incorporated soil applied *Droplet spectrum and appropriate nozzle use depend on orifice size, pressure, and individual nozzle characteristics. Droplets are larger at lower pressures and from larger. Always consult the manufacturer s recommendations before using a nozzle, and follow the pesticide label exactly. **VF = very fine; F = fine; M = medium; C = coarse; VC = very coarse; XC = extremely coarse.

4 Pesticide Applicator Practices to Reduce Pesticide Drift Top: L. Brian Stauffer; all : Mark Mohr A bad neighbor is as great a calamity as a good one is a great advantage. Hesiad, 8th century B.C. It is the applicator s responsibility to use practices designed to prevent drift. It is also the mark of a good neighbor. Several techniques that minimize spray drift include careful selection of application equipment and methods, careful attention to the weather conditions, and careful selection of spray products. Pesticide drift occurs only downwind from the application, and it is mainly the smallest droplets that drift. Extended-range Pre-orifice RA-Raindrop Turbo-Teejet Turbo- Flood Consider: The Equipment The applicator has the most control over the spraying equipment and how it is used. Several equipment strategies can be used to reduce pesticide drift: Choose and use based on droplet quality. You can achieve good coverage of the target and minimize drift by using the correct droplet size range, called the droplet spectrum. When the pesticide label offers a choice of droplet spectra and application rates, using the larger droplet spectrum with more finished spray per acre minimizes drift while providing adequate target coverage. For example, if a label calls for medium or coarse droplets and 10 to 20 gallons of spray per acre (GPA), drift is minimized with the larger droplet spectrum and target coverage is maximized with the higher application rate. Lower the spray height when using a boom sprayer. Extra spray height exposes spray droplets to more wind and allows small droplets to be displaced farther before landing on a plant or the ground. Keep the spray boom height set only high enough to provide adequate nozzle pattern overlap on the target. Know the limits of automatic rate controllers. Most automatic rate controllers work like this: When the sprayer travels faster, more liquid is forced out of the by increasing the spray pressure. Higher pressures decrease droplet size and increase the potential for drift. You must choose that give the correct droplet size over the range of operating pressures needed for a reasonable range of application speeds. Some newer rate controllers avoid this problem by pulsing the spray rather than changing the spray pressure. Keep informed of new developments in application equipment that can help increase pesticide efficacy and decrease drift, such as air assist sprayers, electrostatics, and new automatic rate controllers. Consider: The Weather Every application is affected by the weather. Spray drift is mainly influenced by wind, temperature, and humidity. Avoid applying pesticides during high winds. When it is windy, more droplets may be carried off-target, and they may be carried farther. While there is no maximum wind speed that is appropriate for all applications, try to apply when winds are less than 10 mph. Use a wind meter to measure wind speed and maintain records of every application. Rarely is there a day in the spring when wind is always less than 10 mph; for this reason, you must consider two other factors: wind direction and distance to neighboring areas. Take advantage of wind direction. Because drift occurs downwind only, you could leave a portion of the field adjacent to the downwind neighbor unsprayed and return later when the wind is blowing away from that neighbor. Use a compass to accurately identify wind heading and record the information. Global positioning system (GPS) technology and computers are helping to make this option more of a reality by reducing the effort needed to manage and plan applications using this technique. Be wary of high temperatures and low humidity. When it is hot and dry, droplets evaporate rapidly and become more prone to drift. Small droplets are most affected by evaporation. If it is hot and dry, avoid spraying during the heat of the day. Also, when it is hot, a pesticide gives off more fumes. Some plants are very sensitive to the fumes of some pesticides. Use pesticides that aren t as volatile (fume producing) and follow temperature restrictions stated on the pesticide label. Don t spray when it is completely calm. Surprisingly, conditions with no wind can favor pesticide drift. The smallest droplets, which are too small to settle out of the air, remain suspended and move off-target in unpredictable directions and over long distances.

5 Consider: The Spray Solution The products included in the spray mix will affect pesticide drift. This includes the types of pesticides and other additives in the mix. Choose lower-risk pesticides. Some pesticides and formulations impact surroundings differently. Use pesticides that are less likely to go offtarget (such as a low-volatility formulation) or that have less impact on neighboring crops and the environment. Grower groups and your local Extension office can help identify formulations and active ingredients that offer reduced risk to neighboring crops. As a rule of thumb, amine formulations are less volatile and have a lower risk of vapor drift than do ester formulations. Use additives wisely. Some additives used to enhance pesticide performance can reduce droplet size and increase drift. Drift-reduction additives increase droplet size to reduce drift. When using drift-reducing, follow the nozzle manufacturer s recommendations and the additive s label to determine how much drift additive to use. Some may use reduced rates of these additives. Droplet Spectra, Uses, and Drift* Contact Systemic Contact Systemic Incorporated Droplet spectrum insecticide insecticide foliar foliar Soil-applied soil-applied (by ASAE S572) and fungicide and fungicide herbicide herbicide herbicide herbicide Very Fine VF Fine F Medium M C VC XC Coarse Very Coarse Extremely Coarse All photos: Mark Mohr Venturi Pressure plays a key role in determining droplet size. Lower pressure creates bigger droplets, which reduces drift. Wind meters are important tools for applicators. Measure the wind speed at boom height before spraying a field. *Drift is minimized by using larger droplets, but droplets can be too large for some products to work effectively if too little spray is applied per acre. Always follow the label directions. Applicator Strategies to Reduce Drift Avoid spraying during high or shifting winds Less spray is carried off-target when winds are lower than 10 mph Choose for their droplet spectrum Lower pressures and larger produce larger droplets. Larger droplets resist drift Lower the spray boom Droplets will be exposed to less wind Know the limits of rate controllers Often, pressure increases to compensate for faster speeds, which decreases droplet size and increases drift Use wind direction to your advantage Leave a buffer zone downwind. Spray when winds are blowing away from neighboring areas Avoid very hot or very dry conditions Evaporation and volatilization increase pesticide drift Don t spray when the wind is completely calm Small droplets stay in the air and float in unpredictable directions Use lower-risk active ingredients and formulations If sensitive plants are nearby, choose a pesticide with a lower risk of injuring them Use drift-reduction additives Increased droplet size will reduce pesticide drift Understand the legal consequences of pesticide drift Know your obligations to prevent pesticide drift Be a good neighbor Try to understand your neighbor s point of view, and try to work out differences and correct errors

6 How Specialty Growers Can Reduce the Impact of Pesticide Drift A good neighbor is a priceless treasure. Chinese proverb Specialty growers can reduce the likelihood or impact of pesticide drift by planning where specialty crops are grown and what variety is selected, and by ensuring that neighbors and applicators know a specialty crop is nearby. The old saying that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure is certainly true for specialty crops and pesticide drift. Top: David Riecks; right: Robert J. Reber Consider: Crop Location Specialty-crop growers who have the option of choosing between several fields should choose fields that are not immediately adjacent to conventional crops if the specialty crop is especially sensitive to pesticides commonly used there. Some protection might be afforded by groves, hedge rows, wind breaks, pastures, or even the grower s own conventional crops. While most specialty crops don t require buffer zones to isolate them from conventional crops, the extra effort could help prevent conflict among neighbors. Consider: Plant Variety Growers who have a choice among several varieties of a specialty crop should choose a variety that is less sensitive to pesticides commonly applied to neighboring areas. A specialty grower can contact grower groups or the local Extension office for advice on variety selection. For example, Concord and Norton grapes are severely sensitive to 2,4-D herbicide, while Steuben and Horizon grapes are much more tolerant to exposure to that compound. Consider: Communicating Specialty growers should let their neighbors know the location of their specialty crops. This is where getting along with neighbors is especially important. Talk with the neighbors and applicators you know and follow up with a cordial note in the mail. For neighbors you don t know, a note in the mail is a good place to start. Introduce yourself in the note and explain the type and location of the specialty crop. Mention any special traits that make the crop unique and traits that may make pesticide drift or pesticide residues particularly troublesome. The note should not be confrontational but should clearly state the importance and consequences of spray drift contacting the specialty crop. In addition to describing the location of the crop, include a map showing the specialty crop s location relative to the neighbor s field to help identify it. David Riecks Catherine Eastman

7 The Drift Complaint Process Specialty Grower Strategies to Reduce Drift Impact Choose sheltered or protected fields Reduce the impact of pesticide drift by using distance to your advantage Select varieties with some tolerance to relevant pesticides Some varieties are more tolerant of small amounts of pesticide drift or vapors Talk to neighbors about crop sensitivity to drift Discuss the degree of sensitivity the specialty crop may have for pesticide drift Explain the investment in the specialty crop Some specialty crops are much different than crops many producers and applicators are used to working near Mention special traits that make the crop a specialty crop Some traits are not obvious to the eye, and an applicator may not realize the impact pesticide drift could have on the crop Tell neighbors the where and the what about the specialty crop Location is critical because wind direction is critical Understand the legal consequences of pesticide drift Be aware of the time limit for filing and the limitations regarding damage recovery Be a good neighbor Try to understand your neighbor s point of view, and try to work out differences and correct errors An error does not become a mistake until you refuse to correct it. Orlando A. Battista When pesticide drift is suspected, the applicator and neighbor should talk and try to eliminate other possible causes for the suspected damage. Many other factors can cause damage that resembles pesticide drift, such as plant diseases, insect infestations, nutritional or moisture deficiencies, and other physical stresses (road salt, for example). If possible, it is often easier, faster, and cheaper to settle disputes with an agreement between neighbors rather than with legal action. However, keep in mind that any agreement should be written and signed. Also remember that the time for filing a pesticide misuse complaint with the Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) is limited. University of Illinois Extension educators and specialists may be able to provide valuable help with diagnosing injury symptoms, but they are not an official part of the complaint process. Often diagnosis is done by looking for other causes for the apparent injury or by ruling out some classes of pesticides. Extension laboratories such as the University of Illinois Plant Clinic can help identify or rule out possible nonchemical causes of suspicious damage, such as diseases or insects. The Plant Clinic does not conduct tests to identify chemical causes of injury. Contact your local Extension office to find an educator or specialist who can help with injury diagnosis. If the cause of the damage is unclear or the parties won t work together, a formal complaint may be necessary. A drift complaint begins with calling the IDOA Bureau of Environmental Programs at (voice and TDD) or for a complaint form. The IDOA must receive complaint forms within 30 days of the pesticide application or within 30 days of when the damage was first noticed. Robert J. Reber IDOA is responsible for investigating pesticide drift and enforcing pesticide laws. When a written complaint is submitted within the allowable 30-day time limit, an inspector is sent to collect information and evidence. The inspector will not immediately determine the cause of the suspicious damage. In most cases, the inspector will interview the complainant and inspect the site. Various types of samples, such as plants, water, or soil may be collected for analysis at an approved laboratory. The investigator may also interview applicators in the area, examine pesticide records, and collect weather data to determine the cause of the damage. The field investigator will then submit a report to the department for review. IDOA uses the information and test results to determine if pesticide drift has occurred. If pesticide misuse is identified, penalties range from an advisory or warning letter to fines of $750 to $10,000. The type of penalty depends on the type and severity of the violation and is defined in the Illinois Pesticide Act. If no violation can be substantiated, the complainant will be notified in writing of the complaint s status. The department's role in a pesticide drift investigation is to determine whether a violation occurred; it does not help recover damages. When an agreement between neighbors cannot be reached, one way that damages can be recovered is through civil litigation.

8 Reducing Pesticide Drift Specialty Crops and Conventional Crops As Good Neighbors Other Useful Resources Illinois Pesticide Applicator Training Manual: Private Applicator and Illinois Pesticide Applicator Training Manual: General Standards, available through your local Extension office. University of Illinois Extension, Farm Documents, doc.uiuc.edu pesticide_drift.html Integrated Pest Management, Illinois Pesticide Safety Education, uiuc.edu facts/drift.html Illinois Department of Agriculture, Illinois Farm Bureau, Illinois Specialty Growers Association, Mark Mohr, Extension Specialist Department of Agricultural Engineering Mention of a product or brand name does not constitute endorsement of that product or brand. Robert J. Reber University of Illinois Extension College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences Department of Agricultural Engineering University of Illinois at Urbana- Champaign