Clean Your Nozzles

When operators winterize their sprayers, they should remove all the tips and store them separately. Many store them in large pails with lids. Calibrating the sprayer just prior to winterizing will indicate if the nozzles should be stored, or replaced. Let’s assume each tip flow rate is within 5% of the average output and no more than 5% […]

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Spray Drift Basics

It’s not only field sprayers that drift. Photo Credit – G. Amos and D. Zamora, Washington State.

This article is intended as a basic overview of what pesticide spray drift is and how to avoid it. If you want a more in-depth study of the physics of drift, head over here. Defining Drift Pesticide spray drift is the aerial movement, and unintentional deposit, of pesticide outside the target area. Aside from being […]

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Pro Tips for Pre-Harvest and Desiccation Sprays

A version of this article was originally written by @nozzle_guy as a guest blog for Farm At Hand, and is reproduced with permission. One of the smartest decisions a grower could make is to consider a late-season harvest-aid application. Particularly in years with thinner stands, weeds can maintain a foothold. Late season moisture can give […]

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Spraying Weather

It’s time to spray and what’s the first thing you do? Check the weather forecast, of course. More often than not, the suitability of the weather is the main factor in the decision to spray. Let’s have a closer look at what each weather component contributes to the decision. Wind: Everyone knows that small droplets […]

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Spray coverage in field tomato

Spraying field tomato is difficult – period. In Ontario, early variety tomato canopies get very dense in July. The inner canopy is relatively still, humid, cool and a perfect environment for diseases such as late blight. It is challenging to deliver fungicides to the inner canopy and this can lead to inadequate disease control. Matters are slightly improved as the […]

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