Drift now vs 5 years ago

**Ache4Acres** · Jun 17, 2016, 01:04

There is a lot more spraying happening now in conditions that were never sprayable before. A 30kmh wind now is just considered a nice breeze for spraying, 10 years ago that was too windy.

**Daylate** · Jun 17, 2016, 02:55

Might not be the acres as much as it is being spread out. 2 weeks ago on wheat, I did 2 passes on 2 sides of any fields that the wind was favourable for non target crops. Went through 260ac. Took 6 hrs by the time I drove around to all the fields, and wind was less than ideal for spraying entire fields anyways, so low and behold ,2 days later, very calm and wind blowing in unfavourable direction and I waked off a lot of acres that day. Doesn't work all the time like that, but man is it nice to leave all those fields knowing there won't be an issue.

**MBgrower** · Jun 17, 2016, 05:23

Same with me daylate. Some guys just to lazy to do it the correct way.

**SASKFARMER3** · Jun 17, 2016, 05:38

W I N D !
W I N D!

**tweety** · Jun 17, 2016, 06:16

Because more farmers today are willing to be ***** and don't care about their neighbours. They just spray anyway. One sees one do it, so more and more until it becomes a culture of stupidity.

Sprayers going 30 mph with booms 10 feet off the ground in a 30 k wind. They don't give a shit about anything or anyone.

**oneoff** · Jun 17, 2016, 06:22

Correct. Do two or more passes under most ideal condition beside any susceptible crops and road allowances (especially including neighbors and anything that won't benefit from setback distances).

Then if absolutely anyone absolutely does have to spray in less than ideal wind, temperature or what ever; you've got hundreds of feet to minimize drift disasters.

Now the same principles should apply to not deliberately sowing noxious weeds just because there is cheaper seed that is otherwise unsaleable; letting the thistles etc sow down adjacent quarters and providing the seed bank to introduce additional or really serious weed problems for neighbors. No one should be exempt because they refuse to use all the approved tools that are available.

At one time these issues were a part of tolerance, decency and respect for others ....but now with hardly enough hours and no budgeting for fit hours...it seems like the hired help is the one expected to take the fallout.

**hobbyfrmr** · Jun 17, 2016, 06:23

More than ever, farmers have no regard for any neighbors. They blame the employees for the stupidity.
Its funny how the employer calls his employees "the boys" . Grown men being called boys! That is so strange.
Remember , when you send "the boys" out spraying, its got to land somewhere!

**furrowtickler** · Jun 17, 2016, 06:55

What about a spray licence ?
Like a drivers test , you must learn about chemistry and plant growth and the effects of weather and growing conditions . Pass the test you get your licence to spray.
But also when found guilty of negligence - your fined , sprayer parked and licence revoked for one year.

**furrowtickler** · Jun 17, 2016, 06:58

No different than a custom operator, but new teeth need to be in place to punish negligent operators and Chem companies if their product causes issues outside the operators control.
Farmers need more protection from this

Drift now vs 5 years ago