News

Pesticide applicators prepare for drift with mock trial

Pesticide applicators are preparing for a worst case drift scenario as part of training.

Michigan Agri-Business Association Vice President Tim Boring tells Brownfield increased attention on pesticide drift issues inspired a mock trial during their annual meeting where applicators could walk through the process.

“We’ve got some great, real life attorneys to help us with this.  It’s an exercise that demonstrates the importance of record keeping.  This case involved dicamba which has a whole other litany of reporting requirements.”   

He says ag business and regulatory officials were also on hand for the investigation to illustrate what happens after drift is reported.

Boring says Michigan overall hasn’t had much of an issue with the product and doesn’t appear to have the environment for temperature inversions which has led to some drift issues in southern states. 

“We don’t have quite as many dicamba soybeans here in the state so it’s certainly less pressure on how many acres are covered.  I think our crop diversity has folks a little bit more careful and they’ve got a background on how to manage some of these products.”             

Mandatory trainings are required for anyone applying dicamba during the 2019 growing season.

AUDIO: Brownfield interview with Tim Boring during the
Michigan Agri-Business Association’s Winter Conference