Keep the product where you want it! Patrol Your Pesticides! Dean Herzfeld, U of MN Kay Sargent, MDA

Patrol Your Pesticides

Objectives Discuss the ways of dealing with pesticide application situations you might encounter o Off Target · Neighbors · Security · Spills. Safety & environmental issues Labels and legal requirements Best Practices Professionalism Patrol Your Pesticides

Runoff Scenario Alex treats road ditches, some without back slopes, for Canada thistle. The herbicide has some soil residual. There were heavy rains days before and after the application. A week later Farmer John calls Alex complaining about damage to his soybean field. Patrol Your Pesticides

Runoff Questions How could Alex best handle this situation? What could Alex have done to prevent this? What are the legal ramifications? Patrol Your Pesticides

Runoff Scenario Alex treats road ditches, some without back slopes, for Canada thistle. The herbicide has some soil residual. There were heavy rains days before and after the application. A week later Farmer John calls Alex complaining about damage to his soybean field. Questions to Discuss How could Alex best handle this situation? What could Alex have done to prevent this? What are the legal ramifications? Patrol Your Pesticides

Runoff Professionalism Acknowledge Farmer John’s concerns Be professional and respectful Be consistent with your company’s message Best Practices: Know pesticide’s runoff, leaching and drift potentials – check MSDS & label Watch the weather and soil conditions Plan ahead - decide when it is best to delay application Patrol Your Pesticides

Runoff Safety: Minimize exposure to people, sensitive crops and sensitive areas Legal Obligations Follow the Label Where to Use, Weather conditions Environmental Hazards · Sensitive Sites · Set Backs Follow the Law “A person may not direct a pesticide onto property beyond the boundaries of the target site” -MN Statute 18B.07 Subd.2(b) Patrol Your Pesticides

Concerned Neighbor Scenario Joe is spot spraying Milestone VM to Canada thistle in a ditch by a private residence. Madison waves Joe down. She asks, “What you are spraying?” Madison is concerned about her kids, her vegetable garden and the nearby wetland. Patrol Your Pesticides

Concerned Neighbor Questions Should Joe tell Madison what he is applying? How would you respond to Madison’s concerns? What application practices might reassure Madison? Patrol Your Pesticides

Concerned Neighbor Scenario Joe is spot spraying Milestone VM to Canada thistle in a ditch by a private residence. Madison waves Joe down. She asks, “What you are spraying?” Madison is concerned about her kids, her vegetable garden and the nearby wetland. Questions Should Joe tell Madison what he is applying? How would you respond to Madison’s concerns? What application practices might reassure Madison? Patrol Your Pesticides

Concerned Neighbor Professionalism Be professional. Treat her with respect. Acknowledge Madison’s concerns. Be consistent with your company’s message. Talking points: Noxious weeds, product characteristics, spot spraying. Best Practices: Targeted sprays, buffers Drift Control Adjuvants, nozzle-type, pressure adjustment, boom height Patrol Your Pesticides

Concerned Neighbor Safety: You are a licensed applicator & are trained on safe use of pesticides. Offer suggestions as to what she and her family can do, too. Legal Obligations Follow the Label, Follow the Law Don’t apply directly to water or surface water. Spot applications – thorough coverage, but not to point of runoff. Patrol Your Pesticides

Security Patrol Your Pesticides

Security Scenario Virginia’s boss asks her to take some small containers of Garlon 3A and Roundup to Russell. Virginia heads out. Along the way she stops for coffee at a gas station. When Virginia arrives at Russell’s worksite, the containers of Garlon and Roundup are missing from the back of her truck. Patrol Your Pesticides

Security Questions If you were Virginia, what would you do first? What could have happened to the Garlon and Roundup? What could Virginia have done to prevent this? Patrol Your Pesticides

Security Scenario Virginia’s boss asks her to take some small containers of Garlon 3A and Roundup to Russell. Virginia heads out. Along the way she stops for coffee at a gas station. When Virginia arrives at Russell’s worksite, the containers of Garlon and Roundup are missing from the back of her truck. Questions If you were Virginia, what would you do first? What could have happened to the Garlon & Roundup? What could Virginia have done to prevent this?

Security Safety Secure the load. Minimize human exposure and environmental contamination. Avoid potential traffic accidents. Best Practices Continually improve on your process for better safety, security and efficiency. Professionalism Represent your company wel.l Own up to your mistakes. Patrol Your Pesticides

Security Legal Obligations Keep your pesticides secured. Follow your Incident Response Plan. o Outlines fertilizer and pesticide storage, handling, disposal and incident handling practices of your business. If a spill occurs, it is reportable - Contact MN Duty Officer: Patrol Your Pesticides

Security Patrol Your Pesticides

Spills Scenario Peter is ready to treat brush with Garlon 4. His rig is next to Dan’s Christmas tree farm. Dan walks over to chat. When Dan steps away, Peter turns on the sprayer. A hose blows. Before Peter can shut the sprayer down, he sees Garlon solution flowing toward the Christmas trees. Patrol Your Pesticides

Spills Questions What should Peter do first? How should he handle the spill? If you were Dan, what would be your concerns? Should you report the spill? If so, to whom? Patrol Your Pesticides

Spills Scenario Peter is ready to treat brush with Garlon 4. His rig is next to Dan’s Christmas tree farm. Dan walks over to chat. When Dan steps away, Peter turns on the sprayer. A hose blows. Before Peter can shut the sprayer down, he sees Garlon solution flowing toward the Christmas trees. Questions What should Peter do first? How should he handle the spill? If you were Dan, what would be your concerns? Should you report the spill? If so, to whom? Patrol Your Pesticides

Spills Safety Follow you company’s Incident Response Plan Stop the spill. Protect/first aid for yourself and others. Contain and clean up the spill. Protect animals, water, and sensitive crops & areas. Best Practices Have a shovel for spills in the field. Have a first aid kit & spill kit in the spray rig. Patrol Your Pesticides

Spills Legal Obligations It is not against the law to have a spill You are required to report all pesticides spills Contact MN Duty Officer: Some agricultural exemptions Professionalism Report spills to concerned parties. Follow company protocol Patrol Your Pesticides

First Aid, Spill Kits and PPE First Aid Kits Adapt based on products’ Labels & MSDSs Ex. “may cause eye damage” Spill Kits Absorbent material Spill pads or tubs or absorbent clay Broom and dustpan Closable waste container Appropriate PPE Patrol Your Pesticides

Summary You need to be prepared … Prevent off target applications and respond to mistakes Work with concerned neighbors Secure pesticides Prevent and respond to spills Be professional, treat the public respectfully Patrol Your Pesticides