Why do we need crop protection products to grow our food and other crops?
World population continues to grow at a rapid pace. Today there are 6.6 billion people, but it is estimated there will be just over 9 billion by 2050. World food needs will double, but land area suitable for farming is not increasing. To produce future food, fiber, and bio-fuels and leave room for wildlife, we must increase production on the land we are now using. High-yield agriculture, which includes the use of crop protection products, benefits the environment by producing maximum crop yields from a small amount of land.
Like the human body, all plants need proper nutrition and protection from diseases and pests to attain maximum growth. This is true regardless of the farming system.
Consider the following quote from Dr. Patrick Moore, Greenpeace Co-Founder and Chairman and Chief Scientist of Greenspirit Strategies:
"Pesticides are a key part of modern agriculture, contributing to the dramatic increases in crop yields achieved in recent decades. Pesticides are used in both organic and conventional farming. Through the use of pesticides, farmers are able to produce crops profitably in otherwise unsuitable locations, extend growing seasons, maintain product quality and extend shelf life. In fact, it's better pesticide science that has allowed North America to triple its food production while maintaining the same amount of forest cover as existed a century ago."
There's absolutely no wind at my place. How come you're not out here spraying?
The reason is that wind speeds of less than two miles per hour often indicate the presence of a temperature inversion, a weather occurrence whereby warm air is trapped above cool surface air. Normally air temperature decreases as altitude increases.
Spraying in these conditions results in a portion of the spray droplets becoming suspended in warm air aloft rather than settling into the crop canopy.
Droplets can remain suspended for several hours and drift several miles if wind speed increases in the interim, resulting in off target drift and poor efficacy of the spray application. Low to moderate wind speeds aid spray deposition and result in lower drift potential.
Therefore, taking into account the specific application and potential drift concerns, we prefer to spray in steady winds of three to twelve miles per hour.
Can you spray my land if wind turbines are on or near it?
All fields with wind turbines within a ½ mile would have to be scouted to determine whether we could spray them safely and effectively. Wind turbines are a safety hazard to ag-pilots for two reasons.
The first is their sheer size; loaded spray planes at the beginning of each load are not highly maneuverable and can’t out climb 360 foot turbines!
The second is the turbulence generated downwind of the blades, which, if not given a wide berth could force a loaded aircraft to the ground.
As the support structures are relatively narrow and the blades height above ground 120 feet, turbines adjacent to the field would likely prove a greater hazard than those in the field itself. Our turns would be wider to avoid downwind turbulence and therefore it would take longer to complete the job.
Prices for applications involving wind turbines would likely be higher to reflect both lost time scouting and spraying, as well as, the lower margin of pilot safety working around wind turbines entails.
How can an aerial applicator applying a fungicide at 4 gallons per acre achieve the same results as a ground applicator applying 20 gallons per acre?
The primary reason is the large amount of spray droplets per square inch generated by the aircraft's superior speed. If a ground applicator could drive his sprayer at 135 mph, he wouldn't need 20 gallons per acre! A secondary reason is the same pressure difference between the top and bottom portion of the wing that causes lift, drives spray into the crop canopy. This, combined with the weight of a heavily loaded airplane in ground effect, provides excellent penetration of the crop canopy. Excellent Coverage combined with Zero Soil Compaction = A Clear Choice!
When I purchase Crop Protection Products from FCA are my Chemical Company Program Rebates credited?
Yes, we submit sales transactions to Ag Collect on August, September and November 1st.
What information do you need from me when I book acres?
This varies depending on whether the application involves herbicides, fungicides, or insecticides but generally we find the following information helpful:
- Complete Contact Information
- The correct Legal Land Locations of all fields
- Identifiable land marks ie: Two grain bins in SE corner, blue house on west side, row of trees on north side
- The location of yard sites within a 1/2 mile radius of the spraying
- The location of all drift sensitive crops within a 1/2 mile radius of the spraying
- The location of oilfield activity, organic land, or bees within a 1/2 mile radius of the spraying
- The location of all Wind Turbines, Met Towers , and high tension powerlines within a 1/2 mile radius of the spraying
We have found it's always good public relations if the grower notifies any acreage owners/neighbors adjacent to the spraying, that an aerial application is planned for the near future.
The bottom line is, the more information we have, the higher quality job we can do for you!
Some frequently asked questions will be addressed on this page!
If you have a question(s) about our company or any aspect of aerial application please contact brian@foxcouleeaviation.com and we will reply A.S.A.P.
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