There are many commonly sold herbicides that contain chemicals damaging to grapes including but not limited to 2, 4-D, Dicamba, Crossbow, Banvel, Garlon, Weed-B-Gone, Brush Killer, and Curtail. A single drift sprayed within a one mile radius will damage grape production for more than three years and subsequent drifts can destroy the 45 year old vines, here at Boxing Rabbit, that constitute some of the earliest plantings in Texas..
Unfortunately, the vineyard was hit by drift during the growing season in 2020 and it looks like there has been some damage from years past. As part of the business of bringing the vines up to full production we are implementing a program to establish friendly and long-lasting solutions.
What you can do as a good neighbor:
Be aware of common practices that will reduce the chance of drift
TIMING: Avoid making herbicide applications during sensitive periods of grape growth and development. Injury can be severe during periods of rapid grape growth but can be reduced considerably if potentially injurious herbicides are applied when grapes are still dormant (prior to bud break). Generally, around the end of March or mid-April. You will be able to find out more exact information about the timing of our 2021 bud break on updates to this page. Also be aware that drift will damage production during any part of the fruiting season, from bud break until the end of August.
SELECT THE RIGHT NOZZLE: Nozzle selection is a major factor in reducing pesticide drift. After wind speed and direction, spray droplet size is the most important factor influencing drift. Large droplets are heavier and less likely to move off-target because they fall to the ground faster than small droplets. Selecting the correct nozzle is a compromise between generating larger droplets that are less likely to drift or smaller droplets that provide more thorough coverage of the weed, insect, or disease target. You can find a comprehensive guide here.
CHECK CONDITIONS: wind speed and direction, temperature and humidity. Above is a map of where the vineyard is located and farms within a one-mile radius. Wind speed should be below 10 mph and the direction should not be blowing towards the vineyard. It is also better to spray when temperature and humidity are on the lower end <80 degrees. Avoid spraying during the hot part of the day. Always monitor weather conditions and understand their effects. Do not spray if unsuitable and stop if conditions change.
CONSIDER NEWER TECHNOLOGY products that have lower drift and crop damage capabilities. Select herbicide type to minimize potential drift. Always use least-volatile formulation available. If sensitive crops in area, use least damaging herbicides. If possible, add drift retardant. (We would be happy to discuss this expense and work out a mutually agreeable solution)
STAY IN TOUCH and let us know how we can help you help us. Best way to reach out is to call Preston at 979-665-2900 on his mobile or send a text the same number.
KNOW YOUR LEGAL RISK and legal liability for drift to off-target areas. Work out future practices with your local vineyard by keeping records that include date of application and herbicide/tank-mix information, herbicide name and rate, wind direction, speed and temperature, type of applicator, boom height, nozzle type, spray pressure, nozzle orientation and spray volume.
What we can do to work out agreeable solutions:
COMMUNICATE WITH THE NEIGHBORS and understand that it isn’t always easy for herbicide application plans to change. Together we can develop a way that all the crops in the area can get what they need to have plentiful harvest. We are planning on being at the vineyard most days and would love to show you around.
MAKE SURE SIGNS ARE POSTED to let our neighbors know where there are sensitive crops and write letters to alert them to the sensitive times right after bud-break and throughout the growing season.
MAKE A VISIBLE WINDSOCK that can be seen by our neighbors to let them know the direction of the wind. It is best to spray when the wind is blowing away from the vineyard.
HELP WITH NOZZLE’S AND APPLICATION OF A DRIFT RETARDANT We will be happy to meet and discuss how we can help you to use the low-pressure sprayer and nozzles and to apply a drift retardant.
KEEP RECORDS that will include daily pictures, weather, and wind conditions so that we can rule out possible sources and discover what practices do and don’t work.
LINKS FOR MORE INFORMATION:
- Options for Dealing with a Pesticide Drift Incident – Purdue University
- Herbicide Drift Resources & Presentations – Northern Grapes Project
- Reducing Pesticide Drift – Environmental Protection Agency
- Iowa Department of Agriculture & Land Stewardship Sensitive Crops Registry
- Driftwatch / Field Watch registry (soon to be available in Iowa)
- Protecting Oklahoma’s Vineyards from Phenoxy Drift – Oklahoma Department of Agriculture
- Spray Drift Risk Poster – Oklahoma Department of Agriculture
- Spray Drift Risk Brochure – Oklahoma Department of Agriculture
- Pesticide Drift Complaint Form – Oklahoma Department of Agriculture
- Questions & Answers about Vineyard Injury from Herbicide Drift – Kansas State University
- Avoiding Herbicide Drift Damage to Grapes – Ed Hellman, Texas A & M
- Preventing Herbicide Drift and Injury to Grapes – Oregon State University
- Protecting Pesticide Sensitive Crops University of Nebraska Lincoln
- Pesticide Drift Resources – University of Nebraska
- Phenoxy Herbicide, 2,4-D Injury to Grapes – Michigan State University
- Phenoxy Herbicide Leaf Index and Severity Rating forms – Washington State University
- Glyphosate Injury to Grapes – Michigan State University
- Herbicide Injury Diagnostic Key – University of Wisconsin
- Practical Farmers of Iowa Pesticide Drift Resources
- Watch Out for Grapes – Purdue University
