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surfactants — additives to the herbicide mix — has aided efficacy. In addition, many of the herbicides used today provide targeted control of undesirable species while giving vegetation managers the flexibility to better manage desirable grasses and forbs, as well as adjacent vegetation. Parallel to the automobile becoming the preferred method of transportation, and roads developing into interstates, roadside management equipment has been improved to keep up. Today, most herbicides are applied as water-based sprays by using ground equipment such as mounted, towed and handheld sprayers. “Fifty years ago, roadside vegetation crews used common agri- cultural equipment to apply herbicides,” said Hipkins.“Now, high- end, sole-purpose equipment has features like self-adjusting radars that help applicators maintain a constant speed, injection systems to handle all the mixing, and GPS systems that can store data such as which herbicides were used where and in what quantities.” Because chemical and mechanical management methods play major roles in controlling brush and weeds, the technology has evolved to produce equipment that combines mowing and herbi- cide applications. “Some combination mowing systems are designed to mow and treat with herbicides in one pass and provide several benefits, including reduced stem densities and separate mowing and application chambers for increased effectiveness,” said Hipkins. “Other systems employ a process that keeps the cutting blade wet with herbicide as it cuts.” Another advancement with herbicide applications is the development of returnable, refillable container systems, such as the Continuum Prescription Control & Container Management System. It relieves roadside vegetation managers of several responsibilities, including the rinsing, storing and disposing of herbicide containers. Such systems can increase worker safety due to reduced herbicide exposure, while also reducing labor and inventory costs. In addition, these systems encourage sound environmental stewardship with returnable, refillable containers. Progress continues Scientific discovery and technological advancement will continue to provide updated equipment, products and application techniques for roadside vegetation management. Article provided by Dow AgroSciences (www.vegetationmanagement.com) —reprinted by permission. When treating areas in and around roadside or utility rights-of-way that are or will be grazed or planted to forage, important label precautions apply regarding harvesting hay from treated sites, using manure from animals grazing on treated areas or rotating the treated area to sensitive crops. See the Milestone VM product label for details. Always read and follow label instructions. www.arborage.com Arbor Age / March 2011 15