Farmers thought seeding this year’s crop was challenging.
However, additional challenges lie ahead.
Precision Laboratories believes the next challenge will be applying herbicides. Jim Reiss, vice president of product for Precision Laboratories, says timely, yet effective applications can be made by following a three-step, holistic approach.
“Total Spray Droplet Management (TSDM) is focused on our belief that (the) safety net for seed applications can be enhanced by managing factors in the tank, through the air and on the target. Rather than keep a long ‘grocery list’ of things to do, you can focus on those three areas,” Reiss said.
Applicators can eliminate in tank risk factors by cleaning sprayers before each use.
“You’ve been spraying all spring, on and off. You probably have a lot of contamination in your tank. So before you start making post-applications, you have to make sure you do a good job of cleaning out the sprayer,” Reiss said. “Arguably, I think we have the strongest tank cleaner available in our product areas. (It’s not just) using good technology, but also good technique. You need to be the king of chemical hide and seek when you’re getting ready to clean out your sprayer. “
Reiss offers a couple of tips and tricks for decreasing drift and off-target applications.
“As we get ready to spray, we are certainly going to be worried, or concerned about off-target movement. (We) have to make sure we’re using the right nozzles and adjuvant technologies. All of those technologies – nozzle and adjuvant combinations – are designed to make big, fat spray droplets that don’t drip far. The downside though are the unintended consequences – creating less coverage.”
To avoid these unintended consequences, Reiss encourages weighing different adjuvant technologies. He believes certain technologies work better than others, especially Intact and Intact Advanced.
In following these steps, farmers will maximize their return on investment.
“First of all, not injuring your crop through cross contamination by focusing on a clean spray system. You make sure there is no cross contamination, nothing that can further reduce yield in what is setting up to be a challenging year. Also, the return on investment in keeping everything you spent, in terms of chemical investments dollars, on your field – killing weeds in your field rather than moving off target and getting lower levels of performance in your field (rather than) potentially injuring neighboring fields,” Reiss said.
