As a reminder, a private pesticide applicator is a person who uses or supervises the use of restricted use pesticides in the production of agricultural commodities on land owned or rented by them or their employer. Applicators are not eligible to purchase or apply restricted use pesticides until they take a certified training and licensed. The only remaining private pesticide application training options for 2024 are the online self-study and Nebraska Department of Ag walk-in testing in Lincoln. To learn more about obtaining a private pesticide applicator license, please visit the local training and certification webpage at https://croptechcafe.org/training/ or call your local Extension office in Beatrice (402-223-1384), Fairbury (402-729-3487), or Wilber (402-821-2151).
A tool to come borrow from Extension this spring is a battery-powered flow meter to determine if spray nozzles are worn out, called the Spot-On Sprayer Calibrator. Nozzles are considered worn out and need to be replaced when they apply 10 percent more (at 40 psi w/water) than the manufacturer’s specifications for a new tip. Please call to check the availability of the calibrator at your local Extension office in Beatrice, Fairbury, or Wilber.
When mixing and loading pesticides this spring, ensure you are wearing your chemical resistant apron. I have heard from several applicators during training that chemical resistant aprons are hard to find in local stores. For this reason, you can purchase these aprons for $15 at the Saline County Extension office in Wilber (only in Wilber for 2024).
Planting season can be busy and stressful, so please don’t forget to be safe when handling treated seed and check the seed tag or talk to your seed dealer for specific handling and use directions. Treated seed is another route of exposure for farmers and other handlers, whether this exposure is to fungicide, insecticide, or nematicide treatments present on the seed. Remember that reducing your exposure is key to reducing the overall risk when handling pesticides. Below are some basic tips to safely handle treated seed:
- Read the seed tag. This will be key to identifying personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements, signal words, use, disposal, environmental hazards, and storage information.
- Wear the right PPE. Most seed tags at minimum require long pants, long sleeves, shoes, socks, and chemical resistant gloves to handle the product.
Along with wearing other PPE and reviewing the seed tag, choosing the right chemical resistant gloves is key to safe handling. Unlined chemical resistant gloves that cover the forearm provide protection over a greater area and reduce the risk of exposure. Many seed treatments require wearing gloves that have 14-mils thickness or greater when handling treated seed. These gloves can be made from a variety of materials and are categorized by the EPA by their chemical resistance. Have a safe planting season and for information on glove selection read our NebGuide G1961, Pesticide Safety: Choosing the Right Gloves: http://extensionpublications.unl.edu/assets/pdf/g1961.pdf.
For inquiries about these resources and other agronomic resources and programs from Nebraska Extension, contact me at or 402-821-1722. Know your crop, know your tech, know your bottom line at croptechcafe.org
