The past president of the Fresno County Farm Bureau and state Farm Bureau district director believes in following rules set forth by the state Department of Pesticide Regulation to avoid facing penalties or fines. I grow raisin grapes and some tree fruit. Sometimes alternatives are less effective and more costly. The expense comes if one spray doesn t do it, you must attack with something else. According to Wilson, the cost of pesticide application has increased consistently over the years due to having to apply multiple sprays.
Worker protection is another cost growers face.
In recent years, the specified equipment to be worn when applying chemicals such as coveralls, respirators and goggles has increased. Re-entry time following an application has been extended. If you can t go into the field, and if a disease starts 10 days later, you could end up with a fruit that doesn t make the grade. That could be a 10 percent loss. Chemical labels are extensive.