About SPRAYcast^®

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 developed an alternative approach, based specifically on weather conditions. SPRAYcast^® will identify times during the day that are more or less favourable for spraying. This will 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. Growers can choose field locations to obtain weather forecast data pertinent to their field operation. The forecasted spray advisory will be provided on a daily basis, accessible to all Bayer CropScience Weather Partners.

1 Day Output Example: