Drift can be a costly problem with a spray application, but the TeeJet Sentry 6120 Droplet Monitor helps eliminate concerns by creating an easy way for the operator to keep a close watch on the application without losing time in the field. The droplet monitor will calculate what size droplets are sprayed across the boom.

The droplet size monitor can be particularly helpful when increasing speeds on your sprayer, so you can ensure your droplet size doesn’t get too small for your application. Since smaller droplets increase the risk of spray drift, it is important to constantly stay aware of what size droplets you are emitting.

How the droplet size monitor works

After installing the droplet size monitor on your sprayer, you can select which spray tip you are using on the touch screen. Both an image and text display which spray tip you have selected. As you change the pressure on your boom, the monitor will display the operating pressure on the screen.

The reading on the monitor uses both the color on the droplet size chart and text to let you know what size the droplets are. The droplet size color chart below can assist operators with keeping track of droplet size. It also shows what size your droplets would change to at varying pressures.

Since changes in speed and pressure can greatly affect the size of the droplet, this offers the operator a visual way of knowing what changes they can safely make without jeopardizing the effectiveness of their application. If the pressure changes from the operator’s set high or low limit, an alarm will alert the operator of the change. To learn more about setting application rates and high or low limits, check out this video, Envizio Pro Training Part 2.

The Sentry 6120 Droplet Monitor can save up to five spray tips in the “Favorites” setting for simple, quick selection.

Stay on target with an accurate, efficient application without guessing what droplet size your spray tips are producing.

In order to get the most out of your applications this spring, while lowering your potential for spray drift, here are five tips to help you get the most out of your safe spring applications.

source: http://www.ars.usda.gov

1. Select the right nozzle for your application

Serving as one of the most important ways to cut down on spray drift, choose the right nozzle based on your application, rate of application and speed. Refer to your spray nozzle’s manufacturer chart to help with the selection.

Most applications this spring, the trend leans toward using a nozzle that produces a larger droplet. For these applications, the larger droplets are favored because they are easier to control and complete coverage isn’t as much of a concern with soil incorporated and preemergence applications.

To learn more about selecting the best nozzle for your application, refer to this white paper, Make Your Application Count: Sprayer Nozzle Selection.

2. Use an appropriate amount of pressure for your nozzle selection

Based on your speed and nozzle selection, you should always stay within the recommended speeds to get the most efficient coverage and to maintain the amount of product sprayed per acre.

3. Drive at the speed you are calibrated for

After selecting the nozzle you want to use and the best pressure for your desired application rate, be aware of your speed. By slowing down or speeding up, you will change the application rate if you don’t adjust your pressure. Pressure that is too high for your setup is just as bad as pressure that is set too low.

To maintain your application rate per acre, you need to increase your pressure if you increase your speed.

4. Be aware of boom height

Especially in windy conditions, a boom too high off the soil can contribute to spray drift potential. The higher your booms are set the longer the distance each droplet has to fall, which gives your application more time to travel off path before reaching the desired location.

5. Watch for changes in weather

High winds can increase your chances for spray drift, but you should also try to avoid humid conditions as well. Warmer temperatures paired with low humidity levels will cause droplets to evaporate faster and contribute to vapor drift, according to Iowa State University’s article, Spray Drift Potential Increases during Warm Weather Applications.

source: http://www.ipm.iastate.edu/ipm/icm/2007/4-9/moisture.html

Data from research on soil compaction at the University of Wisconsin indicated 70 to 80 percent of compaction occurs during the first pass over the field. Since this year we are experiencing wet, muddy conditions persistent in many fields, it may be necessary for you to change your tires from last year’s system. Larger tires paired with lower air pressure can create better flotation and a reduction in load on soil surface, according to Iowa State University’s Mahdi M. Al-Kaisi.

In a Field Day event at Purdue University in 2009, tractors were driven through fields using standard tires and larger radials to demonstrate the different depths of soil compaction present. After driving combines through the pit, a backhoe was used to dig out half of the pit to reveal the compaction results. In this test, the larger radials left 6.5 inch ruts while the standard size tires left 10 inch ruts.

Narrow tire options

Sometimes it is unavoidable to use narrow, especially if you are planting with narrow row spacing, such as 15 inch soybean rows. In this case, it will be important to be mindful of your field conditions.

Dual tire options

A increasingly popular trend in the spraying industry is the use of dual tires including a wider tire than the standard 15” tires. In addition to decreasing soil compaction in the field, the smaller ruts left by the wider tires will increase the comfort of the ride in the cab. With smaller ruts to travel over, the operator will experience less bouncing in the cab.

Field conditions will often be one of the biggest influences for your tire selection.

Cotton is experiencing the largest decrease in production, with an estimated 19 percent drop from the 2012 crop. For the 2013 year, U.S. growers are planting about 10 million acres of cotton, which is the smallest acreage in four years, according to AgProfessional.com’s article, Four-year low acreage for U.S. cotton.

source: http://www.georgiaag.com

The decrease in cotton production can be related to its decrease in market value, and for the last two years, cotton has been one of the worst performing commodities. Beyond this, demand for cotton is diminishing due to the increased use of synthetic fibers.

Blueberries, on the other hand, have experienced a dramatic increase in the last ten years. In 2001, 263,950 pounds of blueberries were grown in the United States compared to 511,000 pounds in 2011, according to the USDA. The top states for blueberry production are Maine, Michigan, New Jersey, Oregon, Washington and Georgia. The United States is the world’s leading blueberry producer with Chile coming in second.

According to the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), over the last five years, the number of acres of sunflowers planted has decreased from 2.51 million to 1.68 million acres. Some of the top states for sunflower production include North Dakota, South Dakota, Texas, Kansas and Colorado.

Tomatoes grown in the United States have decreased in production over the last five years from 319,300 acres to 278,900 acres. The top fresh-market tomato states are California, Florida, Virginia, Georgia and Ohio. The top states for processing tomato production include California, Indiana, Ohio and Michigan.

Wheat represents one of the top commodities harvested in the United States, with Kansas, North Dakota, Montana, Oklahoma and Texas representing the most acres planted; however, the last four years have brought a minor decrease in production. The United States currently produces about ten percent of the world’s wheat.

Both corn and soybeans have experienced a slight increase in acres planted over the last five years.

With the abnormal spring weather many growers are facing this year, many areas may see great changes compared to last year’s planting.

One of the greatest contributors to soil compaction is soil moisture at or near field capacity. According to Iowa State University’s How and Why to Avoid Soil Compaction article, high soil moisture increases soil compaction caused by field traffic and machinery because soil moisture works as a lubricant between soil particles under the heavy pressure from equipment.

Breaking it down even further, researchers from Penn State University discovered that
-compaction in the topsoil (0 -12 in.) is related to ground contact pressure only
-compaction in the upper part of the subsoil (12-20 in.) is related to both ground contact pressure and axle load
-compaction in the lower subsoil (>20 in.) is related to axle load only

source: http://pubs.cas.psu.edu/freepubs/pdfs/uc186.pdf

It is necessary to avoid soil compaction because your fields will have problems with higher surface runoff and soil erosion.

In addition to causing trouble to the fields, soil compaction lays the foundation for problems with plant and yield levels as well. Soil compaction can contribute to stunted plant growth, poor root system development and potential nutrient deficiencies. Effectively, decreasing your yield at harvest.

source: http://pubs.cas.psu.edu/freepubs/pdfs/uc186.pdf

Ways to manage soil compaction

By minimizing your time in the field when conditions are less than ideal, you can avoid a great deal of soil compacting problems. Sometimes it is necessary though, and when you must work in the field during wet conditions, you should adjust your tire size and air pressure.

“Larger tires with lower air pressure allow for better flotation and reduce load on the soil surface,” Mahdi Al-Kaisi said in the Iowa State article. He also recommends using the same wheel tracks when possible and work with lighter loads when possible.

According to Kansas State University’s Machinery Safety PowerPoint, nearly 1/3 of all farm injuries are caused by falls, and an average of 10 working days are lost for each farm accident. By taking safety precautions and by encouraging other staff to do the same, you can save unnecessary injuries from happening and save time in the fields.

source: http://www.compliancesigns.com/media/ZOOM/PKE-18287_600.gif

Here are a few safety tips that you should remember when working on the farm:

1. Always wear properly fitting clothing

By wearing clothing that fits, you can avoid getting clothing caught on a machine which can lead to serious injuries. Also be conscious not to wear torn jeans or hoodies with strings, as these can easily get caught on machines as well.

2. Fatigued operators should not be in the field

A machine operator who is exhausted is more likely to fall asleep at the wheel or cause an unnecessary accident. This can create a dangerous situation, so never operate machinery when fatigued.

3. Ensure all employees are properly trained

People operating heavy machinery need proper training to ensure they are working in a safe manner. This will decrease the chance of accidents occurring.

4. Watch out for weather

It may be easy to think that you can get a little more done in the field before a heavy storm hits, but be sure to plan enough time to get machinery back in the barn and for yourself to take shelter. Trying to beat a storm can be dangerous, so be aware of impending storm and tornado conditions.

When working around self-propelled sprayers, here are some of the most common hazards according to Kansas State University.

1. Misuse of Personal Protective Equipment

Personal Protective Equipment should always be used when dealing with chemicals. For more information on the using Personal Protective Equipment, check out this publication created by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

2. Platforms and steps cluttered with debris

Clutter and debris that is left on platforms and steps can easily cause falls. Take a few extra minutes and clean these areas on a regular basis to prevent slips.

3. Booms getting caught on posts

One of the more common accidents that occurs with the boom on a sprayer is when the boom runs into something such as a fence post or an electrical or telephone pole. Always be aware of your surroundings to prevent these situations.

4. Improper storage of chemicals

Chemicals should always be locked up when not in use and easily identified. Chemicals should never be left in the cab of the sprayer. To read more about chemical handling, check out our blog post, What to look for on your chemical labels.

Working in a safe environment is important for your well-being, the well-being of all other employees and is important for your farm to keep moving forward. Be safe this spring and happy planting!

“Torrential rain last week concentrated in two days or less, has led to major flooding in parts of the Midwest,” according to AccuWeather.com Expert Senior Meteorologist Alex Sosnowski in the article, Record Crests at Midwest River. “In some areas, flooding will continue well through the upcoming week.”

source: http://www.accuweather.com/en/weather-news/record-crests-at-midwest-river/10802868

The National Weather Service reported a crest at 10.93 feet on the Des Plaines in Des Plains, Ill. that breaks a record from 1986. In Riverside, Ill. a record of 11.42 feet was measured breaking the 1987 record.

According to Fox News, the Mississippi River was at or near crest in several places on Sunday between the Quad Cities and St. Louis. In Illinois, stretches from Quincy to Grafton reached 10 to 12 feet above flood stages.

The flooding in the Mississippi River is a far cry from the extremely low water levels that were present much of this past fall and winter.

Making matters worse in parts of the Midwest, Minnesota, Iowa and the Dakotas are expecting to be hit with more snow this week. Many other towns in Wisconsin, Illinois and Indiana are forecasting more rain this week.

All of the precipitation accumulation will put planting on hold for most areas in the Midwest for a while as hundreds of farmland acres are now under water.

For more information about flooding in the specific states, check out this post by Weather.com.

Conventional tillage is a system that leaves less than 15 percent of residue at the time of planting, while no-till and strip-till systems leave the soil undisturbed from harvest to planting except for strips up to one-third of the row width, according to Penn State University’s Agronomy Guide.

Each of these types of tillage offer a number of pros and cons that make the option desirable, but they have their downfalls as well. Here is a breakdown of the three types of tillage systems and what benefits and problems are associated with each.

No-Till

source: http://www.agriculture.utk.edu

Pros

-Least amount of soil disturbance
-Least amount of passes through the fields
-Conservation practices and efficiency benefits over strip-till and conventional tillage
-Typically faster plant emergence
-Most time saving in terms of labor per acre

Cons

-Often requires more pesticide applications
-More likely to deal with early growing weeds

Strip-Till

source: http://www.no-tillfarmer.com

Pros

-Allows fertilizers to be placed directly into the root zone and away from crop residue
-Conservation practices and efficiency benefits over conventional tillage
-Helps dry out excessively wet soils
-More soil organic matter than conventional
-Encourages warmer, more favorable soil temperatures

Cons

-Higher fuel costs when compared to no-till
-Higher input costs than no-till

According to the Corn and Soybean Digest article Strip-Till Systems Provide Key Benefits for Corn, the advantages of using a strip-till system are typically strongest when planting corn following corn, because strip-till can help improve the uniformity in seedbeds and reduce plant-to-plant variability.

Conventional Tillage

source: http://www.oregonprogress.oregonstate.edu

Pros

-Fewer pesticide applications typically needed
-Less chance of early weed growth
-Cleans out residue from previous harvest

Cons

-Soil compaction potential from more passes in the field
-Disturb soil structure which reduces soil moisture
-Higher fuel costs per acre
-More time in terms of labor per acre

Before planting in the Spring, you should evaluate what problems you are facing with your fields and gauge whether you need to change up your tillage method based on your evaluation. Using the best tillage method for your field can set the tone for a stronger crop and a better yield in the Fall.

According to The Washington Post’s article, Senate immigration bill would set up a new permanent agriculture worker program, as of now, at least 50 percent and as much as 70 or 80 percent of the nation’s farm workers are here illegally.

source: http://www.washingtonpost.com

New work visa programs are currently in discussion in the Senate after union worker groups and labor groups finally came to an agreement on changes. For the agriculture industry, the solution senators are pushing for is a “blue card” visa that would grant legal status to farm workers who have worked in the farming industry for at least two years and plan to continue working in this industry for at least five additional years.

Currently, the program available for farm workers is the H2A visa. This work visa is a 10-month program for farmer workers; however, one of the flaws that growers find with the program is the time it takes to complete all the necessary paperwork for the H2A visa. By the time the paperwork is completed, submitted and approved the work on that year’s harvest could be over, according to the Washington Post article.

The last change to the farm program came in 1986 which resulted in the H2A visa.

This program missed out on a few key components that would make it viable for today’s industry. “The problem we have on the ground today with a 50 to 70 percent unauthorized labor force in agriculture is a direct reflection of what was missing in the bill that passed in 1986,” said Craig J. Regelbrugge, co-chair of the Agriculture Coalition for Immigration Reform, in the Washington Post article.  “We made our bed and have been lying in it ever since so this is a chance to get it right and not repeat those failures.”

New legislation could help growers hire labor legally, and at the same time provide better protection for workers.

Non-agricultural industries also face work visa changes

In addition to recreating the H2A work visa for farm workers, the Senate is also pushing for a new program for non-agriculture workers. For this program, the “W Visa” worker program would qualify foreign workers to work in non-seasonal, non-agricultural, low-skilled occupations. After one year under the W Visa, a worker would be eligible to seek permanent status, according to AgProfessional.com’s article, Outlook improves dramatically for U.S. immigration deal.

Controversy surrounds the new legislation on a variety of causes ranging from not allowing enough immigrants to use the program to not helping the unemployment rate in America.

source: http://www.rt.com

With the nation’s budget in sequestration, the House and the Senate had to push legislation H.R. 933 continuing resolution to prevent meat inspector furloughs that would have cost the industry approximately $10 billion in production losses and $400 million in lost wages, according to AgWeb.com’s article, Congress finds funds for FSIS inspectors.

Without this bill, the FSIS was on the verge of losing 5 percent of its budget, or $52.8 million for the rest of this year.

In addition to supporting the meat industry, the funding made available through H.R. 933 will help fund the Natural Resources Conservation Service programs including conservation programs and the watershed rehabilitation program. Many Rural Development Programs will also be given some of the funding through H.R. 933. To learn more about some of the Rural Development Program and some of the changes it could face in the next year, check out our blog post USDA looks to change definition of “rural” for funding.

Funding for food assistance including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is also protected through this legislation until September 30, 2014, according to a copy of the bill GovTrack.us posted.

H.R. 933 Controversy and Section 735

One of the most controversial pieces of H.R. 933 is section 735 also known as the Farmer Assurance Act. While this portion of the bill was supported by the American Soybean Association, the American Farm Bureau Federation, the National Corn Growers Association, the Agricultural Retailers Association and many more agriculture based organizations, the bill also received a great deal of opposition from a petition with over 250,000 signatures asking President Obama to not sign the bill.

This portion of the bill is set to expire on September 30, 2013 unless further legislation is created to extend its life.

To read more about what is in H.R. 933, check out this link on Govtrack.us for the bill’s complete text.