By Jamie Martin
“We thought it would be a good idea to remind growers to keep your cocktails for happy hour and consider the perils of complex tank mixing!” say Shawn P. Conley, Jed Colquhoun, and Damon Smith; University of Wisconsin Madison Professors and State Extension Specialists.
The agricultural community is facing a significant challenge with the rising trend of complex tank mixing, where farmers mix multiple chemical products in their spray tanks. This practice, driven by the desire to ensure crop protection, has unintended economic and environmental consequences.
Dr. Paul Mitchell, a respected Agricultural Economist, refers to this as the "more-on principle"—the belief that more inputs mean less risk. However, this approach often translates to unnecessary costs and potential resistance issues without providing the intended benefits. For instance, the addition of unneeded fungicides, insecticides, and adjuvants, priced to make their cost seem justifiable, frequently leads to a scenario where the benefits are unmeasurable and the costs, both immediate and long-term, are real.
The economic implications are particularly stark. Farmers are sold these complex mixtures as "complete programs," locking them into purchasing a suite of products that may not be independently justified. The practice makes it challenging to discern the actual effectiveness of each component, as yield improvements could be due to genetic advancements rather than chemical applications.
The environmental and resistance risks are profound. Adding insecticides without a present pest threat can harm beneficial insect populations and accelerate the development of resistance. Similarly, inappropriate use of fungicides can exacerbate disease issues rather than mitigate them.
To address these issues, farmers are encouraged to base their decisions on solid research rather than persuasive marketing. This includes understanding the active ingredients, knowing the proven efficacy of the product through independent data, and maintaining check strips to compare treated and untreated areas. Such practices ensure that inputs are used judiciously, preserving their effectiveness and safeguarding the farm's economic and ecological future.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-eugenesergeev
Categories: National