News Seed & Chemical
New campaign urges growers to mindful of drift

Several Ontario agricultural organizations have formed a partnership and awareness campaign called Be Drift Aware, to remind growers of drift stewardship as work begins across the province.

“Drift is the unintentional aerial movement of plant protection products away from the intended target. It’s an issue that can impact crop yield, crop quality and input costs,” writes the partnership team in a press release. “Drift can also have negative impacts on neighbouring fields and residences, livestock, sensitive natural habitats, and can cause tension with neighbours.”

Growers and spray operators can access all resources at a new central resource hub. The website includes an online quiz and resources surrounding three key best practices – proper size, height and wind conditions – to reduce the risk of drift.

“This campaign is an important next step to reach growers with information ranging from spray drift basics to sprayer settings and nozzle selection to truly drop the risk as low as possible,” says Brian Rideout, crop protection chair, Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association, in the press release.

“The call to action for this campaign is simple: Our partners want to reduce spray drift across Ontario by providing easy access to the information when and where growers and spray operators need it,” says Janice Janiec, farm policy analyst, Ontario Federation of Agriculture.

Be Drift Aware partners will be sharing spray drift messages and reminders throughout their established communication channels – newsletters, social posts and events – to encourage members to visit the new site to access resources about spray drift.