In each case the person who applied the 2,4-D was not aware of the restrictions. This damage to the grape crops did not result in fines but did result in the payment of damages to the growers. Unless you want to pay for part of your neighbor's grape crop and perhaps a fine for the misuse of pesticides be careful when selecting 2,4-D. With the increase of houses in rural areas the new property owners are unaware of the restrictions on pesticide use. When you use pesticides it is your responsibility to reduce drift and off site damage. This is very hard with ester form of 2,4-D because of its tendency to form a gas and drift off site.
Warm conditions increase the likelihood of volatilization and damage to grapes and other plants.
The townships affected in Van Buren County are Antwerp, Paw Paw, Porter and most of Almena, Covert, Decatur, Hamilton, Hartford, Keeler, Lawrence and Waverly townships. In Berrien County , the townships are Bainbridge, Benton, Berrien, Baroda, Chikaming, Coloma, Hagar, Lincoln, Lake, Oronoko, Pipestone, Royalton, Sodus, St. Joseph, Watervliet and most of Weesaw, Buchanan, Niles townships. In Cass County , it affects Pokagon and Silver Creek townships. In Kalamazoo County , the townships are Texas and most of Oshtemo Township.