In this week's
edition of In the Berry Field; Sonny Murray gives a crop update for the major
berry crops. To view the video Click Here
Perennia's
Online Pest Management Guides : this is BIG NEWS!
Perennia has
created an online pest guide to streamline your pesticide selection process and
helps you access information more easily.
In this virtual session, Michelle Cortens walks you through the new tool
and shows you how to maximize its usefulness to your farm.
To view the video
click here.
To go directly to
the tool click here or google search for perennia online pest guide.
Tank Mixing Made Easy:
As we move towards peak spraying season, growers should be
reminded that many tank-mix compatibility problems can be avoided by adhering
to the proper tank mix order. To help
you remember the order the WALES method has been put together. Inorder to access the chemical compatibility,
prior to mixing any complex mixes, it is recommended to perform a small-scale
test known as a jar test. It is also
advised as a reminder that the sprayer should be thoroughly cleaned out so that
residues from previous applications do not interfere with the mixability and
application.
By following the Wales method below growers can generally,
mix products in the tank without incident.
Many of the commonly used berry
pesticides and their formulations can be found in the table at the bottom of
this article.
W
- fill the tank about ½ full
with WATER and start the agitation
- add WATER CONDITIONERS at
this time, if needed, for hard water or pH adjustment
- add WATER SOLUBLE BAGS
(WSB) to the clean water in the tank. Allow the bags to completely dissolve before
adding any other products.
-add WETTABLE POWDERS
(WP)
-add DRY FLOWABLES (DF)
-add SOLUBLE GRANULE (SG)
-add WATER DISPERSIBLE
GRANULES (WDG)
These products may have to be pre dissolved
or slowly added to the tank so that they will be dissolved before beginning
sucked into the sump, collecting in the filters and plugging the sprayer. Be
sure dry products are thoroughly dissolved prior to adding other products.
A
-continue
AGITATION and allow the dry products to mix entirely to ensure uniform
dispersion.
L
-add
LIQUID FLOWABLES like SUSPENSION CONCENTRATED (SC)
-add
LIQUIDS (L)
-add
FLOWABLE liquids(F)
E
-add
EMULSIFIABLE CONCENTRATES (EC) and MICROEMULSION CONCENTRATES (MC)
S
-Add
SOLUTIONS (S) or SOLUBLE LIQUIDS (SL)
- Add SURFACTANTS
and ADJUVANTS
-Finish
by completely filling the spray tank with water and continue to agitate until
the spray application is complete.
- again,
test and adjust water pH if needed before heading to the field
If boron fertilizers are required in the spray mixture make
sure that water soluble bags are completely dissolved before adding the boron
fertilizer to the tank.
For products that quickly degrade at high pH’s be sure to
measure the pH of the tank solution before and after mixing is complete as
multiple pesticide and fertilizer products can change the overall solution
pH.
There are new rules beginning December 20, 2024, outlining what
will be allowable for tank mixes which will be stated on each of the product
labels. To find out more about these new
regulations please follow this link.
CLICK HERE. Or for a plain
language article on the subject please follow this link: CLICK HERE.