Join the Be Drift Aware Campaign

Apr 04, 2024

New resources for farmers to combat spray drift and protect crops.

As spring arrives, Ontario's farmers are encouraged to adopt new stewardship practices to protect their crops and the environment.

The Be Drift Aware campaign provides essential resources aimed at combating the issue of spray drift - the unwanted aerial movement of plant protection products.

The Be Drift Aware campaign is a collaborative effort by the following leading farm organizations: Grain Farmers of Ontario, Ontario Federation of Agriculture, Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, and CropLife Canada.

Spray drift is a significant concern for farmers, affecting crop yield, quality, and increasing input costs. It also poses a risk to neighboring fields, residences, livestock, and sensitive natural areas, potentially leading to disputes with neighbors.

Recognizing the importance of addressing this issue, organizations like the Grain Farmers of Ontario, Ontario Federation of Agriculture, Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, and CropLife Canada have come together to create a central hub for information and best practices.

The campaign's website serves as a one-stop resource for growers and spray operators. It features an online quiz and materials focused on three critical areas: understanding the importance of droplet size, spray height, and wind conditions.

By adhering to these best practices, farmers can significantly reduce the risk of drifting and its associated problems.

Marty Vermey, a Senior Agronomist, highlights the collective effort to pool information into a single, easily accessible location. This initiative represents a crucial step towards educating growers on everything from the basics of spray drift to advanced techniques in sprayer settings and nozzle selection.

The Be Drift Aware campaign aims to reduce spray drift across Ontario by making information readily available to those who need it, when and where they need it.

Visit the Be Drift Aware website for more information.

Video: Creating Pollinator Habitat From Farmland

Why did we turn this land in to pollinator habitat? We we rented this farm consisting of six fields this 23 acres was the most challenging. Nine acres of is a large sandhill with trees all along the North edge. Most years it wouldn't produce very much grain at all. So when we bought this farm we decided it was time to take that hill out of production and put it to good use. So we seeded it to pollinator habitat. Here's a look at it three years in, and it's looking better every year. There's a strong marestail seedbank out there, but the pollinator species are beating it back a little more each year. The grasses have really come on strong this year. And we have a neighbor who keeps some beehives on the habitat. Hope you enjoy taking a tour of our pollinator habitat!