DELIVERY OF CALIBRATION WORKSHOPS COVERING HERBICIDE APPLICATION EQUIPMENT

Abstract

Proper herbicide sprayer set-up and calibration are critical to the success of the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) herbicide program. Sprayer system set-up and calibration training is provided in annual continuing education herbicide workshops offered by the Oklahoma State University (OSU) Roadside Vegetation Management Program. Although pesticide applicator continuing education (CEU) workshops are offered yearly, equipment calibration is not discussed in CEU workshops in the depth of detail that can be undertaken with on-site. Four ODOT herbicide applicator sprayer calibration workshops were conducted for ODOT in 2013. Sixty-five newly certified ODOT applicators received in-depth training on sprayer equipment calibration. The final decision regarding the capabilities of ODOT employees assigned to specific spray duties should continue to be made by supervisors familiar with each employee. The OSU-RVM professional staff also encourages supervisors and spray crews to thoroughly review spray system setup, annual spray application goals, specific target weed complexes, herbicides to be utilized and sensitive crop or sensitive area locations immediately prior to the beginning of each spray season. Participants in our joint project training effort are encouraged to attend annual pesticide applicator CEU workshops presented by the OSU-RVM Program.