No matter what you’re growing, be careful when it comes to protecting it from pests and disease.
The Grain Farmers of Ontario, Ontario Federation of Agriculture, Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, and CropLife Canada are reminding local farmers to Be Drift Aware in a new campaign warning about the effects of unintentional aerial movement of plant protection products from intended crops.
Anytime someone sprays, there is a possibility of drift, and it’s an issue that they say can impact crop yield, quality and input costs. Drift can also negatively impact neighbouring fields, residences, livestock, and sensitive natural habitats and cause tension with neighbours.
“Each of our organizations has shared best practice resources with our grower members over the years, and now we have pooled that information for easy access in a single location,” says Marty Vermey, senior agronomist, Grain Farmers of Ontario.
That information will be accessible for growers and spray operators on their new online resource hub, which is organized around three key best practices – “be size aware,” “be height aware,” and “be wind aware.”
“This campaign is an important next step to reach growers with information ranging from spray drift basics to sprayer settings and nozzle selection to truly drop the risk as low as possible,” says Brian Rideout, crop protection chair, Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association.
“The call to action for this campaign is simple: our partners want to reduce spray drift across Ontario by providing easy access to the information when and where growers and spray operators need it,” says Janice Janiec, farm policy analyst, Ontario Federation of Agriculture.
Be Drift Aware partners will share messages and reminders through newsletters, social posts, and events to encourage members to visit their new website to access resources on the issue.
(written by Kasey Egan)
