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Facts from the Field: #19
Tools and Tips from Rainbow Ag
The Mathematics of Reducing Drift
By Lars Skjoldager Sorensen
Everyone wants to increase their spray efficiency. Spray efficiency reduces costs, combats pests more effectively and improves your relations with your neighbors.
Rainbow Ag wants you to understand the factors that can affect this efficiency. We call it "the spray account." The spray account is a simple formula for evaluating where your spray is going. Once you understand it, you can begin to focus your efforts to increase your efficiency.
The Spray Account
A number of factors make up the spray account. You can think of it as an equation:
Total amount of
pesticide used =
On Target + Evaporation + Airborne Drift + Ground Loss
If the total amount of pesticide you apply remains constant, you can see that affecting one factor on the other side of the equation will simultaneously affect at least one other factor in the equation. Obviously, your goal is to increase on-target pesticide application.
Here's a very simple example of the spray account equation:
If you spray on a windy day and observe excessive airborne drift of your pesticide, you will necessarily decrease the amount of spray hitting your target. You've increased the "airborne drift" factor, and simultaneously decreased the on-target factor.
If, on the other hand, you can find a way to reduce airborne drift, you will automatically increase your on-target spraying, provided you aren't increasing either evaporation rates or ground loss!
Perhaps you can now see how useful the spray account equation could be when you are assessing your pesticide applications procedures.
Methods of Reducing Drift
The following methods have been documented to significantly reduce drift under most spraying conditions and in most types of crops.
- Increase droplet size.
- Direct spray to the intended part of the canopy.
- Where possible use a downward trajectory for drops.
- Match fan performance to crop and forward speed.
- Do not spray when turning out of the row.
- Avoid spraying under less than optimal weather conditions.
In the next issue of Facts from the Field, we'll take an in-depth look at each of these factors.
The right equipment is essential to efficient vineyard operations. Rainbow Ag knows that these large-ticket purchases represent a major financial investment for your business.
To help you make these important decisions, we've put together a tip sheet that offers you some important facts to consider before you buy.
Click here to download tips for purchasing equipment
It's a PDF, size 48k; Adobe Acrobat Reader
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Don't miss it!
John Deere New Vineyard Tractors Overstock Sale!
Save $1000's!!
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Big Savings on Vineyard Sprayers and Dusters
in stock now!
Save up to $1,251
Come in to Rainbow or call:
Jim Munson, Lake/Northern Mendocino
(707) 468-6549 (pager)
munsonjim@netscape.net
Bob Mitrovich, Napa/Sonoma/Mendocino
(707) 316-2108 (pager)
BobMitro@aol.com
Jerry Smith, Napa/Sonoma
(707) 324-1940 (pager)
jvsmithbow@aol.com
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ANNOUNCING...
Pest Management Alliance Field Day
April 24, 2002
Kendall-Jackson Wine Center, Fulton
 This important educational day will offer updates on laws and regulations, presentations on minimizing spray drift and maximizing your weed control efforts, along with some Spanish-only workshops. To register, call Nick Frey at (707) 206-0603.
Additionally, there are going to be some important equipment demonstrations.
Rainbow will be there with three important efficiency tools for your operations. We'll be demonstrating the Hardie Arrow, Patchen's WeedSeeker System and the Flory Duster. Don't miss the show!
Co-sponsored by California Winegrowers, Sonoma County Grape Growers Association and Russian River Valley Winegrowers.
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CHECK THIS OUT!
U.C. Davis has an online database of grape pests and their management. It's a great resource: U.C. Grape Pest Management.
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Jim Mayfield Reports:
Investing Now to Insure a Successful Future
In the past, I have used this column to highlight the importance of running an efficient vineyard operation. As growers feel increasing price pressures, I have suggested that they continue to make capital equipment purchases to ensure that they become low-cost producers of the best quality fruit. I honestly believe in this strategy.
At Rainbow Ag, we practice what we preach. Recently, we took delivery of an entirely new computer system. A huge investment in hardware and software, it will connect our four stores and provide our customers with up-to-the-minute service.
Within Rainbow's leadership, we came to recognize that, with vineyard development slowing down, Rainbow must lower costs by using the latest technology to provide better service. We had been running a system that was long out of date, and it was costing dearly in customer satisfaction and in-house inefficiencies. Are you running old, inefficient equipment that is costing you money?
I ask for your patience as we make the usual, headache-filled transition to our new system. You can look forward to more speed at the parts counter, better product availability and more accurate tracking of your orders, etc.
I'm excited about Rainbow's future with this new technology. Are there technological improvements you could make to your operations? Maybe it is time to contact one of our field salesmen and ask how they can put new vineyard equipment technology to work in your vineyard operation.
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Did you know...
That John Deere is offering a new and improved seat for its narrow tractors?
You are probably facing a long season in the saddle, so if your current seat is worn out or sun damaged, it's time to set your seat down in comfort. The new seat retrofits to all John Deere's Narrow 5000, 5010 & 5020 tractors, and it's been redesigned with comfort in mind. Ask for part number RE73344.
Order one now by calling...
Ukiah: Warren Henry, serving Lake & Mendocino County,
462-2404 or (800) 427-2404
Calistoga: Lynn Shuler, serving Napa, Sonoma & Marin Counties,
942-4566 or (800) 942-4566
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At Rainbow Agricultural Services, our primary interest is providing great
service to our customers. If you have questions or comments, or if there is any way we can serve you better, please e-mail us at:
facts@rainbowag.com
Your privacy is very important to us.
If you would like to "unsubscribe" from this newsletter, please let us know
by e-mailing:
offthelist@rainbowag.com
We will remove your address from our mailing list as soon as possible.
RAINBOW AGRICULTURAL SERVICES
UKIAH: 235 E Perkins St., 95482, Ph. (707) 462-2404, Fax 707-462-3627
CALISTOGA: 810 Foothill Blvd., 94515, Ph. (707) 942-4566, Fax 707-942-9668
NOVATO: 7546 Redwood Blvd., 94945, Ph. (415) 892-1030, Fax 415-893-1481
LAKEPORT: 1975 Argonaut Rd., 95453, Ph. (707) 279-0550, Fax 707-279-0594
www.rainbowag.com
Copyright © 2001 Rainbow Agricultural Services
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Previous issues of
Facts from the Field
18) Fighting Frost, Protecting Profits
Don't be caught off guard by spring frosts.
17) Power-Beyond Hydraulics
Care and preventative maintenance for your hydraulic equipment.
16) Maintaining Peak Performance
Tips to make your tractor service maintenance easier.
15) Don't be Stopped Cold
Cold northern blasts periodically sweep through our region. Prevent freeze damage to your irrigation system.
14) Protect Your Equipment from Theft
At season's end, it's nice to pull your equipment in and walk away knowing it'll be ready to go at the end of the rainy season. But, will it?
13) Profit from Finance Know-How: Part 2
Rainbow reviews two of four basic financing strategies for making a major equipment purchases.
12) Profit from Finance Know-How: Part 1
The first two of four basic financing strategies for making a major equipment purchases are reviewed.
11) Growing Soil Nutrition
Glenn T. McGourty, Viticulture and Plant Science Advisor for UCCE, shares important considerations for cover cropping in North Coast vineyards.
10) A New Spray Technology Charges into Town
Rainbow Ag offers demonstrations of the latest revolution in spray technology.
9) An Ounce of Prevention...
Keep your vineyard equipment ready for the job time after time with regular, seasonal maintenance.
8) Establishing Your Reputation as a Good Neighbor
New spraying practices minimize the potential for harm and promote profitability.
7) Picking for Premium Quality
We're predicting that, in the years ahead, winemakers will be asking for mechanically harvested grapes.
6) Adjusting the Volume to Low
Discover the benefits of low volume spraying.
5) Maintain an Open Canopy
Improve grape quality by letting the sun shine in.
4) Pump Up the Power!
Find out how to save money by becoming your own power provider.
3) Mulch Mower Cuts Costs
Chris Grow mowers' design works well with the new inter-row management systems.
2) Water Quality:
The Life-Blood of a Premium Harvest
Learn about our free water quality test.
1) Seminar Spotlights
Tools of the Trade
The event has already taken place, but this bulletin also features useful information about narrow vineyard tractors. from SAME.
A) Check List Prices Online, Then Call Rainbow!
Configure or accessorize a tractor on John Deere's website.
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