Aerial applications of corn could increase this year, fueled by applications of strobilurin fungicides. The April issue of CropLife's magazine estimates between 10 million to 14 million acres of corn were treated with fungicides in the Midwest last year.
State pesticide control officials in the Midwest face applicator enforcement issues with increased aerial applications. More complaints are generated because the general public becomes concerned about planes flying low spraying pesticides, especially in a densely populated state like Ohio. They question the safety of applications and potential pesticide drift.
If you or your growers are planning to use an aerial applicator for fungicides, make sure the company is a registered pesticide business for the state of Ohio. Even if the pilot is licensed by another state, they still need to have an Ohio license. Growers can look up licensed applicators and companies at the Ohio Department of Agriculture website at:
http://www.ohioagriculture.gov/oda3/_Apps/Pest_AllInOne/Default.aspx
courtesy of OSU Extension Pesticide Education Program