Pesticide licensing changes
By
John Grimes-
Last week certainly had a more typical look and feel of fall weather with the cooler, damp, and windy conditions. The wind certainly removed most of the remaining leaves on the trees. As I have said on many occasions before, I am definitely not a big fan of the shorter daylight hours that this time of year brings. Maybe it wouldn’t seem so bad this year if the Bengals were having a better season!
Pesticide applicators to
see licensing changes
Ohio private pesticide applicators will see changes this fall in their licensing categories. A pesticide license is required for farmers who use restricted-use pesticides in their farming operation.
“The Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) has simplified the categories for private applicators,” said Joanne Kick-Raack, Ohio State University Extension state director for the Pesticide Safety Education Program. “The change will mean fewer exams for new applicators and many current license holders will have fewer categories for recertification.”
The simplification undertaken by ODA has reduced the number of licensing categories from 13 to only seven. This consolidation reflects the changing needs of Ohio farming operations. Several smaller-use categories have been combined for applicators. For example, growers who produce a variety of food crops will now only need one category for fruit and vegetable crops. The new categories for a private license include Category 1: Grain and Cereal Crops; Category 2: Forage Crops and Livestock; Category 3: Fruit and Vegetable Crops; Category 4: Nursery and Forestry Crops; Category 5: Greenhouse Crops; Category 6: Fumigation; and Category 7: Specialty Uses.
Some applicators will have fewer categories on their license, but will still be able to purchase and use the same pesticide products. The specialty categories of seed treatment, non-cropland, aquatics, tobacco and wood preservation were consolidated into the first six categories. This means an applicator would be able to purchase materials for these applications with at least one category on their license. For example, an applicator with Category 1 on their license will still be able to purchase products for grain crops but also be able to buy products to treat seed and manage their stored grain, non-crop areas and ponds on their farm. Tobacco and wood preservation were also consolidated.
Category 7 represents specialty uses. This category is only for applicators that do not have the first six categories on their license. An example would be someone who only does wood preservation on lumber and does not need any other crop categories. Their license would reflect this by only having Category 7. If an applicator has any other category on their license, they do not need Category 7.
Kick-Raack said the Core category, which covers safety and stewardship for pesticide use remains unchanged and is required for all applicators. Recertification will still require a total of three hours of training. If applicators have questions, they can contact their local OSU Extension educator. More detailed information about the new categories is also available at the Pesticide Safety Education Program website at http://pested.osu.edu.
Moving grain safely
Whether it’s by gravity wagon, truck or auger, farmers are moving grain. Looking out for a few safety tips can help make the end of this season a better one.
• If a gravity wagon is the way you are moving grain, make sure the brakes on the towing vehicle are up to the task. Even if you plan to follow the law and stay under 25 mph, that fully loaded wagon is going to push you going downhill and you may need more brake than you thought.
• Is it time to replace that SMV? Has time and sunlight taken its toll? Is it still reflective? The days are getting shorter and if you are on the road in less than perfect light, that SMV is critical to keep you and the motoring public safe. Consider whether you need flashing lights. Magnetic portable lights are available that are long lasting and more than bright enough.
• If tail lights are required on the equipment you are using are they ASAE-approved? Has anyone checked them lately? All bulbs eventually burn out, if you are not checking them, law enforcement will.
• When using a grain auger is it adequately guarded? Can tools or a foot inadvertently get through protective screening? Contact your equipment dealer to see if improved guarding is available.
• If you are using a portable auger, do you know where the overhead power lines are? Do you know that electricity can arc to a conductor like an auger and that actual contact is not necessary for electrocution to happen? Maintain a minimum of 10 feet of clearance between conductors and overhead power lines.
Thinking ahead to take care of some of the possible safety concerns that come up while moving grain can help make sure you end this season in good financial as well as physical shape.
John Grimes is the Ohio State University Extension Educator for Agriculture and Natural Resources in Highland County.[[In-content Ad]]
Pesticide applicators to
see licensing changes
Ohio private pesticide applicators will see changes this fall in their licensing categories. A pesticide license is required for farmers who use restricted-use pesticides in their farming operation.
“The Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) has simplified the categories for private applicators,” said Joanne Kick-Raack, Ohio State University Extension state director for the Pesticide Safety Education Program. “The change will mean fewer exams for new applicators and many current license holders will have fewer categories for recertification.”
The simplification undertaken by ODA has reduced the number of licensing categories from 13 to only seven. This consolidation reflects the changing needs of Ohio farming operations. Several smaller-use categories have been combined for applicators. For example, growers who produce a variety of food crops will now only need one category for fruit and vegetable crops. The new categories for a private license include Category 1: Grain and Cereal Crops; Category 2: Forage Crops and Livestock; Category 3: Fruit and Vegetable Crops; Category 4: Nursery and Forestry Crops; Category 5: Greenhouse Crops; Category 6: Fumigation; and Category 7: Specialty Uses.
Some applicators will have fewer categories on their license, but will still be able to purchase and use the same pesticide products. The specialty categories of seed treatment, non-cropland, aquatics, tobacco and wood preservation were consolidated into the first six categories. This means an applicator would be able to purchase materials for these applications with at least one category on their license. For example, an applicator with Category 1 on their license will still be able to purchase products for grain crops but also be able to buy products to treat seed and manage their stored grain, non-crop areas and ponds on their farm. Tobacco and wood preservation were also consolidated.
Category 7 represents specialty uses. This category is only for applicators that do not have the first six categories on their license. An example would be someone who only does wood preservation on lumber and does not need any other crop categories. Their license would reflect this by only having Category 7. If an applicator has any other category on their license, they do not need Category 7.
Kick-Raack said the Core category, which covers safety and stewardship for pesticide use remains unchanged and is required for all applicators. Recertification will still require a total of three hours of training. If applicators have questions, they can contact their local OSU Extension educator. More detailed information about the new categories is also available at the Pesticide Safety Education Program website at http://pested.osu.edu.
Moving grain safely
Whether it’s by gravity wagon, truck or auger, farmers are moving grain. Looking out for a few safety tips can help make the end of this season a better one.
• If a gravity wagon is the way you are moving grain, make sure the brakes on the towing vehicle are up to the task. Even if you plan to follow the law and stay under 25 mph, that fully loaded wagon is going to push you going downhill and you may need more brake than you thought.
• Is it time to replace that SMV? Has time and sunlight taken its toll? Is it still reflective? The days are getting shorter and if you are on the road in less than perfect light, that SMV is critical to keep you and the motoring public safe. Consider whether you need flashing lights. Magnetic portable lights are available that are long lasting and more than bright enough.
• If tail lights are required on the equipment you are using are they ASAE-approved? Has anyone checked them lately? All bulbs eventually burn out, if you are not checking them, law enforcement will.
• When using a grain auger is it adequately guarded? Can tools or a foot inadvertently get through protective screening? Contact your equipment dealer to see if improved guarding is available.
• If you are using a portable auger, do you know where the overhead power lines are? Do you know that electricity can arc to a conductor like an auger and that actual contact is not necessary for electrocution to happen? Maintain a minimum of 10 feet of clearance between conductors and overhead power lines.
Thinking ahead to take care of some of the possible safety concerns that come up while moving grain can help make sure you end this season in good financial as well as physical shape.
John Grimes is the Ohio State University Extension Educator for Agriculture and Natural Resources in Highland County.[[In-content Ad]]