He also has had the chance to deal with countless private and professional applicators as they try to refine their spray use and avoid legal problems associated with drift. The bottom line, Pringnitz says, is minimizing drift is in everyone's best interest, and there are many ways to minimize drift. A new electronic pulse system can use a pulse system of shutting the spray on and off quickly, thus reducing a low output while keeping droplet size constant. Pringnitz's machine makes the rounds of many meetings to demonstrate different droplet sizes and spray patterns and nozzle types. But there's more to it than that.
Many variables affect drift.
Applicators know wind affects drift, and no spraying should be done on a windy day. But factors, such as temperature and humidity, also are important. Applicators, as well as neighbors concerned about drift, should remember a few other things. Problems can be avoided if the landowner and applicator know the neighbors and their specific situations, Pringnitz says. In the past, many drift complaints dealt with drift from one farmer's corn field to another farmer's bean field or vice versa.