Good Fruit Grower

May 1

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28 MAY 1, 2016 Good Fruit Grower www.goodfruit.com R ecent complaints about pesticide spray drift from W a s h i n g t o n o r c h a r d s highlight the need for greater education about sprayer technology, from calibration and optimization to maintenance and monitoring. A new class offered in partnership by the Washington State Department of Agriculture, Washington Department of Labor and Industries and Washington State University provides workers with information and tools to ensure pesticide sprayers are calibrated and configured to meet the needs of orchards that may vary in tree structure or canopy size, while also reducing drift. Here are five key points from that workshop: 1 Empower and plan. Growers must empower their employees with the time, knowledge and tools to perform the steps necessary for a successful spray program — one that both meets crop needs and reduces spray drift. Some of these steps, such as maintenance and calibration, will be performed annually, while others may only need to be done every two years. It really depends on the specific area a grower wants to monitor, but regardless, all grow - ers need to make a commitment to ensure their workers are empowered to plan and prepare for the season and to carry out the steps as the season progresses. Good to Know Better ways to SPRAY PHOTOS by TJ Mullinax/GOOd FruiT GrOwer Gwen Hoheisel of Washington State University says water-sensitive paper can help workers determine where an orchard sprayer's nozzle is hitting the trees. Five tips from sprayer training workshop can help limit your pesticide drift. by Gwen Hoheisel

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