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Spray Advisory Feedback Form

Health Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) calculates pesticide buffer zone distances, in order to protect sensitive non-target organisms from those pesticide products which have been assessed to be of risk to the environment. These zones can vary in size during the spraying season, depending on weather conditions, pest control products used, and the type of spray equipment and nozzle design. Spray applicators have expressed concern over the changing nature of the buffer zones, and the resultant tendency to leave multiple rows unsprayed at certain times of the year. These unsprayed rows can act as reservoirs for insects and disease, or become weed banks which may create unwelcome risks for the remainder of the crop season.

Weather INnovations Incorporated (WIN), in cooperation with Environment Canada, has been asked to develop an alternative approach, based specifically on weather conditions. This pilot project, being conducted in Southwestern Ontario, will identify times during the day that are more or less favourable for spraying. This would allow the buffer zone to remain constant throughout the season.

The Spraying Conditions Advisory uses decision support criteria, developed by Environment Canada, incorporated in a 3 day weather forecast. Grower co-operators will choose a location closest to their test field, to obtain weather forecast data pertinent to their field operation. The forecast will be provided to them daily, on the web or by fax, as requested. They will also be asked to record the wind speed prior to spraying, using a wind sensor supplied by WIN. Growers and custom operators will be asked to comment on the usefulness of the Spraying Conditions Advisory. This will be done through a telephone and paper survey.