The majority of aerial spraying falls into two categories, fungicides for
corn and insecticides for soybean aphid control.  Soybean aphids can
severely affect soybean yields and their control does yield a great
financial return to farmers that are forced to use these insecticides as
losses can run into the hundreds of dollars per acre from severe aphid
infestations.  The return on spraying corn fungicides is much more marginal
and unpredictable.  Yield returns can range from nothing to perhaps two to
three times the cost of application.  These products would be a great choice
for a campaign banning their use.

 

More farmers are applying insecticides to control aphids with their last
ground spraying application for weeds in July.  While this does limit the
potential for drift, it also encourages application of insecticide on acres
that might not need it.  Aphids are a relatively new development, appearing
in the last ten years or so and are an indication that our corn soybean
rotation is not the best way to utilize our fields.  Resistant (from non GMO
traits) varieties are hopefully on the way according to seed companies.

 

If a ban on aerial corn fungicides combined with wide spread utilization of
aphid resistant soybeans became reality, most aerial spraying would stop.

 

Steve Swan

 

  _____  

From: Iowa Discussion, Alerts and Announcements
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Phyllis Mains
Sent: Wednesday, May 06, 2009 7:04 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Claim--more aerial crop spraying

 

Thanks for this information Tom.  I have a neighbor that sprays his crops.
While he doesn't directly fly over my property, he doesn't have to because
the wind carries the poison to my lungs and my organic garden.  I was
interview by a Des Moines Register reporter about air quality in Decatur
County.  I used the aerial crop spraying as one of the air pollution
hazards.  Is there some recourse for us to report this dangerous practice?
If it is legal, there is nothing we can do but breathe in this poison
depending where we live and our neighbor's mercy.  Phyllis

*Many farmers concerned about whether proper safety measures are used

Opinions vary widely regarding recent sharp increases in aerial application
of farm chemicals, with some industry experts saying farmers have few
options.

Patrick Kirchhofer, manager of the Peoria County Farm Bureau, said the high
price of corn last year, wet fields and corn hybrids that can often be 8 to
10 feet in height all played a role.



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