Orchard Sprayer CalibrationsOrchard Sprayer CalibrationsGrass Filter Strip InstallationsGrass Filter Strip Installations

Coalition for Urban/Rural Environmental StewardshipCoalition for Urban/Rural Environmental Stewardship • Non-profit organization: agricultural, urban projectsNon-profit organization: agricultural, urban projects• Promote stewardship, proper use of pesticides, nutrientsPromote stewardship, proper use of pesticides, nutrients• Parry Klassen, Executive DirectorParry Klassen, Executive Director• Tamara Taliaferro, Projects CoordinatorTamara Taliaferro, Projects Coordinator• Robert McMurry, Sprayer Calibration TechnicianRobert McMurry, Sprayer Calibration Technician• www.curesworks.orgwww.curesworks.org

Butte County Resource Conservation DistrictButte County Resource Conservation District Pia Sevelius, District ManagerPia Sevelius, District Manager Larry Lloyd, Resource TechnicianLarry Lloyd, Resource Technician www.buttecountyrcd.orgwww.buttecountyrcd.org

Schedule On-Farm Schedule On-Farm Sprayer CalibrationsSprayer Calibrations Equipment and technician come Equipment and technician come

to your farmto your farm

CallCall

Tamara Taliaferro: 530-271-5822 Tamara Taliaferro: 530-271-5822

Or Sign-up online at:Or Sign-up online at:

www.curesworks.orgwww.curesworks.org

““Orchard Sprayer Calibration Clinics” Orchard Sprayer Calibration Clinics”

Schedule of upcoming eventsSchedule of upcoming events

Calibration Technician and Equipment will…Calibration Technician and Equipment will…

• Measure the output of each nozzle in gallons per minute

• Identify and clean or replace worn and clogged nozzles

• Calculate the total output in gallons per acre

• Measure uniformity of spray discharge across the entire boom

• Rearrange or replace nozzles as needed for uniformity

• Adjust pressure as needed

NOZZLE OUTPUT AND LEFT & RIGHT SIDE UNIFORMITYNOZZLE OUTPUT AND LEFT & RIGHT SIDE UNIFORMITY

LEFT RIGHT LEFT RIGHT

BEFORE CALIBRATION AFTER CALIBRATION

VERTICAL DISTRIBUTION CALIBRATIONVERTICAL DISTRIBUTION CALIBRATION

• Measure vertical distribution of spray

• Compare distribution to shape of your orchard tree canopies

• Adjust angles of fins and/or nozzles to direct spray at tree canopy/foliage

VERTICAL DISTRIBUTION CALIBRATION

BEFORE AFTERCALIBRATION CALIBRATION

Legend

Spray above foliage

Spray on foliage

Spray below foliage

Tree Canopy/Foliage(Optimum spray pattern)

Benefits of Orchard Sprayer CalibrationsBenefits of Orchard Sprayer Calibrations

• Improved nozzle output efficiency

• Improved uniformity of spray discharged across boom

• Improved vertical distribution of spray on tree canopy

• Reduced overspray and underspray means less product entering local waterways through drift and irrigation and storm water runoff

• More efficient pesticide application means you save money

Approaches for Orchard BMPsApproaches for Orchard BMPs Application BMPsApplication BMPs

Lower label ratesLower label rates Mix and load properlyMix and load properly Calibrate equipmentCalibrate equipment

Site BMPsSite BMPs Cover crops: native Cover crops: native

perennials, legumesperennials, legumes Grassy row centers Grassy row centers

during dormancyduring dormancy vegetative filter stripsvegetative filter strips Grassed waterwaysGrassed waterways

Goal: Goal: Reduce bare soil conduitReduce bare soil conduit

Application BMPsApplication BMPs Managing Drift From Managing Drift From

Airblast Sprayers Airblast Sprayers • Most drift comes from first Most drift comes from first

and last passes through the and last passes through the orchardorchard

Don’t spray inside of Don’t spray inside of rows 1, 2 and last 2rows 1, 2 and last 2

Spray outside - inward Spray outside - inward on perimeter rows, slow on perimeter rows, slow down to improve down to improve coverage.coverage.

Application BMPsApplication BMPs

Evaluate aerial vs. ground sprayEvaluate aerial vs. ground spray

Establish setback zones (buffers near Establish setback zones (buffers near sensitive areas)sensitive areas)

Use drift mitigation practicesUse drift mitigation practices

Use proper mixing, loading and disposal Use proper mixing, loading and disposal practicespractices

Structural BMPsStructural BMPs(Irrigation or storm (Irrigation or storm

runoff)runoff)

Basins for water & Basins for water & sediment run-off sediment run-off

Requires Requires modification of modification of drainage system to drainage system to protect surface protect surface waterwater

Irrigation Input BMPsIrrigation Input BMPs

Irrigation timingIrrigation timing• At least 24 hours after application – follow At least 24 hours after application – follow

labellabel

• Do not over-irrigate – reduce amount of Do not over-irrigate – reduce amount of

runoffrunoff

PAM / calcium in irrigation waterPAM / calcium in irrigation water

Structural BMPs Structural BMPs (Irrigation runoff)(Irrigation runoff)

Re-circulation Re-circulation

systems (tailwater systems (tailwater

recovery)recovery)

Low-pressure drip Low-pressure drip

or micro-sprinklersor micro-sprinklers

Filter stripsFilter strips

Potential Practices Potential Practices (need more research)(need more research)

Let grass grow in Let grass grow in drainage ditchesdrainage ditches

Circulate drain Circulate drain water through water through vegetated ditches vegetated ditches or field areasor field areas

Circulate drain Circulate drain water through water through constructed constructed wetlandswetlands

Integrated Pest Management: Integrated Pest Management: OrchardsOrchards

Determine need to dormant sprayDetermine need to dormant spray Selection of dormant season pest Selection of dormant season pest

management strategiesmanagement strategies No dormant spray, in-season spray as needed No dormant spray, in-season spray as needed OP dormant applications with BMPsOP dormant applications with BMPs Alternate year dormant applications: a 50% reduction?Alternate year dormant applications: a 50% reduction? Bt sprays at bloomBt sprays at bloom Spinosad + oil as dormant spraySpinosad + oil as dormant spray Non-OP pesticides as dormant sprays (pyrethroids)Non-OP pesticides as dormant sprays (pyrethroids) Pheromone mating disruptionPheromone mating disruption www.ipm.ucdavis.edu : On-line calculatorwww.ipm.ucdavis.edu : On-line calculator

FREE FILTER STRIPS!FREE FILTER STRIPS!

Butte County Resource Conservation Butte County Resource Conservation District is offering to install filter strips for District is offering to install filter strips for FREE.FREE.

Scheduling appointments with interested Scheduling appointments with interested growers in Novembergrowers in November

Please call:Please call:

(530) 534-0112 ext. 124(530) 534-0112 ext. 124

Orchard Filter Orchard Filter StripsStrips

Water Board grants in Butte-Yuba-Sutter counties

Study orchard vegetation effectiveness

Install free filter strips

Cooperators

Sutter County Resource Conservation District

Coalition for Urban/Rural Environmental Stewardship

Butte County Resource Conservation District

What are “Filter Strips”What are “Filter Strips”

Strips or areas of herbaceous vegetation Strips or areas of herbaceous vegetation situated between orchard and …situated between orchard and … Environmentally Sensitive areas (steams, rivers, Environmentally Sensitive areas (steams, rivers,

wetlands, riparian areas, etc.) wetlands, riparian areas, etc.) Other croplandOther cropland grazing landgrazing land forestlandforestland disturbed landdisturbed land

Biggest benefit to orchard growers:Biggest benefit to orchard growers:

Storm RunoffStorm Runoff Filter strips reduce winter storm runoff Filter strips reduce winter storm runoff

from orchards from orchards Reduce erosionReduce erosion Improve water penetration into soilImprove water penetration into soil Habitat biodiversity for beneficial insects Habitat biodiversity for beneficial insects

Filter strips slow runoff velocity, capturing Filter strips slow runoff velocity, capturing sediment sediment

Other Benefits of Filter StripsOther Benefits of Filter Strips Improve water quality by removing… Improve water quality by removing…

75% or more of sediment75% or more of sediment 50% or more of nutrients & pesticides 50% or more of nutrients & pesticides 60% or more of certain pathogens60% or more of certain pathogens

Provide habitat for wildlife & beneficial Provide habitat for wildlife & beneficial insectsinsects

Maintain or enhance watershed functions Maintain or enhance watershed functions & values& values

Ideal LocationsIdeal Locations-- Lower edges (down-gradient edge) of orchards or crop fields where runoff occurs-- Lower edges (down-gradient edge) of orchards or crop fields where runoff occurs-- Above conservation practices, such as ponds, drainageways, and terraces-- Above conservation practices, such as ponds, drainageways, and terraces

Filter Strip WidthFilter Strip Width

Typically, 20 feet wide Typically, 20 feet wide Wide enough that:Wide enough that:

equipment does not damage sensitive areasequipment does not damage sensitive areas agrichemicals and manure can be safely agrichemicals and manure can be safely

applied without affecting sensitive areasapplied without affecting sensitive areas

Filter Strip VegetationFilter Strip Vegetation

Desirable VegetationDesirable Vegetation Plants with dense top-growth and a Plants with dense top-growth and a

fibrous root systemfibrous root system Sturdy, tall perennial grassesSturdy, tall perennial grasses Hardy perennial native grass speciesHardy perennial native grass species

Undesirable VegetationUndesirable Vegetation Short, flexible grassesShort, flexible grasses

Filter Strip MaintenanceFilter Strip MaintenanceNecessary for long-term effectiveness and durabilityNecessary for long-term effectiveness and durability

Mow and remove excessive vegetation regularly Mow and remove excessive vegetation regularly 2-3 times per year if growth is vigorous2-3 times per year if growth is vigorous Mow to 6-inchesMow to 6-inches Control unwanted trees, brush and noxious weedsControl unwanted trees, brush and noxious weeds

Inspect after major stormsInspect after major storms Remove trapped sedimentRemove trapped sediment Repair eroding areasRepair eroding areas Minimize development of erosion channelsMinimize development of erosion channels

Shut off pesticide sprayers when on filter stripShut off pesticide sprayers when on filter strip

FREE FILTER STRIPS!FREE FILTER STRIPS!

Butte County Resource Conservation Butte County Resource Conservation District is offering to install filter strips for District is offering to install filter strips for FREE.FREE.

Scheduling appointments with interested Scheduling appointments with interested growers in Novembergrowers in November

Please call:Please call:

(530) 534-0112 ext. 124(530) 534-0112 ext. 124

BMP Effectiveness StudyBMP Effectiveness StudyWinter 2006Winter 2006

Goal: Study impact of orchard floor Goal: Study impact of orchard floor management practices on diazinon and management practices on diazinon and esfenvalerate runoff during major stormesfenvalerate runoff during major storm

3 test orchards draining into Gilsizer 3 test orchards draining into Gilsizer Slough in Sutter CountySlough in Sutter County One with vegetated cover cropOne with vegetated cover crop One with bare groundOne with bare ground One disked with native vegetationOne disked with native vegetation

Cover Crop Effectiveness Study Cover Crop Effectiveness Study Overall ResultsOverall Results

Ground cover and soil type affected the Ground cover and soil type affected the loads of diazinon and esfenvalerate in loads of diazinon and esfenvalerate in runoffrunoff Orchard with planted cover had far less water Orchard with planted cover had far less water

runoff than orchard with bare ground.runoff than orchard with bare ground. Vegetation reduced the concentration of Vegetation reduced the concentration of

esfenvalerate in runoff.esfenvalerate in runoff.

Study ResultsStudy Results

Runoff From Rainfall Event in Three Orchards

0

20000

40000

60000

80000

100000

120000

140000

160000

180000

Planted Cover Crop Bare Ground Disked Plot

Orchard Floor

Ru

no

ff (L

iters

/Hec

tare

)

Average Diazinon Load in Runoff From Rainfall Event

0

1000000

2000000

3000000

4000000

5000000

6000000

Planted Cover Crop Bare Ground Disked Plot

Orchard Floor

Dia

zin

on

Lo

ad (

µg D

iazi

no

n/H

ecta

re)

Average Esfenvalerate Load in Runoff From Rainfall Event

0

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

6000

7000

8000

9000

10000

Planted Cover Crop Bare Ground Disked Plot

Orchard Floor

Esf

enva

lera

te L

oad

(

µg E

sfen

vale

rate

/Hec

tare

)