DON’T FORGET THE GRAPEVINES!DON’T FORGET THE GRAPEVINES!

“There’s nothing worse than when one of my [applicators] calls me and says they were spraying and got to the end of field only to find grapevines!” In other words, they discovered sensitive plants that the product being sprayed could kill or damage.

 “Communication is key,” said Ryan Peterson, Federated’s custom applicator manager, working from the Osceola location. Don’t forget to tell us about the grapevines – or other sensitive vegetation nearby! Federated needs to know what crops are planted, where they are planted, and who or what lives or grows next door.

Since not everyone is “farmer friendly” in these days of social media rants about crop chemicals and corporations, Federated applicators also need to know if fields are adjacent to homes of people who are less than supportive of agricultural practices. Federated strives to respect all perspectives and works hard to ensure safe and proper spraying.

Sensitive areas/features can include, but are not limited to:

Vegetable gardens, flower beds, organic producers, greenhouses, wineries, businesses (day care centers, hospitals, clinics, etc.)

Peterson said, “The biggest thing is to plan ahead. Don’t plant two different varieties in one field where we would have to make two different applications. Make it possible for us to come in, [spray], and leave,” he said.

Good communication will help Federated effectively schedule and manage applications around the needs of sensitive vegetation, and individuals. Growers who take time to communicate with their neighbors may also head off potential issues.

Talk to your Federated Agronomist about any concerns over issues related to spraying your fields this year.