Avoid Pesticide Drift During Spraying Season
DES MOINES, Iowa (June 25, 2018) – Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig today encouraged farmers and other pesticide applicators to ensure they are following all pesticide label requirements and taking the necessary steps to prevent pesticide drift this spraying season
Applicators should evaluate factors such as wind speed, wind direction, temperature, spray pressure, nozzle height, any required set-backs and surrounding properties before they begin spraying a field.
“The recent wet weather has created some challenges as farmers and applicators look to spray for weeds and pests, but it is important they wait until conditions are right and that they carefully follow all of the product label requirements,” Naig said. “Pesticides are important tools that help keep our crops healthy and it is important that they are used appropriately and do not impact neighbors.”
The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship’s Pesticide Bureau is responsible for responding to complaints and investigating potential misuse of pesticides. In addition, education and testing on the safe use of pesticides is administered to all licensed pesticide applicators by the Department in conjunction with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.
It is important all applicators read and follow the label directions on any pesticide when using. Product labels give applicators information about safe handling, application rates, personal protective equipment needed, appropriate crops to be treated, tank mixes, avoiding drift and more. It is a violation of state and federal law to use a pesticide in a manner inconsistent with label directions.
If there is concern about a specific pesticide misuse incident, Iowans can file an “Incident Report” with the Department’s Pesticide Bureau by phoning 515‐281‐8591 or by emailing the information to pesticides@IowaAgriculture.gov. This report must be filed within 60 days after the alleged date that damages occurred.
More information about activities of the Department’s Pesticide Bureau can be found at https://iowaagriculture.gov/pesticide-bureau.