Transcript Pro-Active Problem Solving

Pro-Active Problem Solving
How to Avoid and Handle Plant
Injury Problems
By Joanne Kick-Raack, State Coordinator
Pesticide Education Program
Ohio State University Extension
Handling Complaints
• Simplest method to deal with complaints is
to prevent them
• Evaluate the application site
• Review and adjust for potential problems
• Continuously monitor the application
• Respond quickly and appropriately to
concerns
Pro-Active Problem Solving
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Sprayer maintenance
Calibration
Application techniques
Mix/rinse/fill procedures
Disposal
Protective Equipment
Record keeping
Communication
Cleaning Field Sprayers to Avoid
Crop Injury
Why is cleaning field sprayers so
important?
• New pesticides are highly active in low
amounts
• They can be redissolved with later contact
with other herbicides, their solvents or spray
adjuvants
Examples
• Switching from Round-up on beans to a
post-emergent application on corn
• Switching from 2,4-D etc. on corn to
Round-up on beans
General Sprayer Clean-up
Procedures
• Fill for the day and end with an empty tank
• Carry 50-100 gal.of fresh water for rinsing
• Flush the system in the field immediately after use
and apply to the application site consistent with
the label
– Don’t discharge solution in a small area
– Select a location that is away from water supplies,
streams
– Do apply so that puddling or run-off cannot occur
Sprayer Cleanout Between
Crops—Step 1
• Add ½ tank fresh water and flush tanks,
lines, booms, nozzles for > 5 min. using a
combination of agitation and spraying
• Wear protective equipment
• Rinse inside surfaces of tank – be sure to
get areas around baffles and tank fixtures
Sprayer Cleanout Between
Crops—Step 2
• Fill the tank with fresh water and add cleaning
solution and agitate for 15 minutes.
• Operate booms to ensure all nozzles and boom
lines are filled with cleaning solution. Let solution
stand for several hours or overnight.
• Add more water and rinse again. Remove nozzles,
strainers and clean separately
• Rinse and flush system again
Cleaning Solutions
• Should be selected based on the herbicide
and formulation to be cleaned.
– Dilution, solubilization, and deactivation
• Add one of following to each 50 gals. water
– 2 qts. Household ammonia (let stand overnight
for growth regulator herbicides such as 2,4-D,
Banvel, Clarity
– 4 lbs. Trisodium phosphate cleaner detergent
Caution!
• All sprayer components must be cleaned
• Lowest point of the system should have a
drain
– If not, remaining solution may be problem
Minimize Drift
Drift is the “ Number One”complaint
to the Ohio Department of
Agriculture as the result of
agricultural spraying.
Drift/Non-Target Application
No person shall apply a pesticide:
-to an area or a crop in such a manner or at
such time that he will contaminate adjacent
crops, pasture land, other area or water
-at such time or under such conditions that
the wind velocity will cause the pesticide to
drift and cause damage
Remember…
• ODA does issue penalties to farmers
• Civil penalties $200-$400
• If take lab samples, costs can range from
$800-$2000
• Also, ODA begins looking at other aspects
of operation when out there
• If damage is > $500, you are required to
report
Preplan Your Application
• Evaluate application site and adjacent area
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Wells
Lakes, ponds, streams, ditches, waterways
Gardens
Sensitive crops or ornamentals
Identify neighbors
Considerations for Problem Sites
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Use of buffer zones or setbacks
Wind speed, direction
Temperature and humidity
Nozzle selection
Product volatility
Product potential for damage & alternatives
Drift control agents
Responding to Complaints
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Respond immediately and in person
Listen!
Don’t argue
Provide a list of products applied (labels)
Agree to follow up ---and do it!
Document the complaint
Don’t make promises you or insurance won’t keep
Risk Generalizations
• Two key elements of risk perception
– Familiarity
– Control
• Facts do not control risk perception
• The public is not looking for zero risk
Risk Communication
The primary objective is to build trust
not change public opinion about the
size of the risk.
Ohio Requirements for Private
Applicator Record keeping
• Record applications of all restricted use
pesticides (RUP’s)
• Keep records for 3 years
• Record information on the day of
application
Ohio Requirements for Private
Applicator Record keeping
• If renting land, record must be made
available to landowner within 30 days of the
request
• Information must be provided to attending
health care professionals
• Custom applicator may keep records for
you
Private Applicator
Pesticide Application Records
1. Certified applicator (name, address,
certification number)
2. Brand name, formulation, EPA registration
number
3. Total amount and rate of application
4. Crop treated
5. Target pest
Private Applicator
Pesticide Application Records
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Month, day, year of application
Type of application equipment
Method of application (preemerge etc.)
Weather conditions: air temperature,
wind speed and direction
Reasons to Keep Application
Records
• Improve management decisions—what
works and what doesn’t
• Improve crop rotation decisions
• Prevent future pesticide failures
• Provide safeguard in case of claims of drift
or injury
• Substantiates product guarantee claims
Reasons to Keep Application
Records
• Saves Money
• Helps secure funding by providing
environmental liability records
• Meets buyer requirements
• Respond to food and water safety questions
• Aids in emergency medical treatment
• Provides data to support pesticide use
Damage Control
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Proper tank clean-out
Thoughtful Applications
Good records
Good neighbor communications
Handling Complaints
• Act concerned!!
• Take the time to talk rationally with them
• Don’t just say, “It will be all right don’t
worry”