• PIERRE, SD - The South Dakota Department of Agriculture (SDDA) would like to remind pesticide applicators of drift risk during this spraying season.
• Applicators should prevent risk of drift to non-target areas or susceptible crops and should evaluate factors such as wind speed, wind direction, temperature, spray pressure, nozzle height and surrounding properties before they begin spraying a field.
• Product labels give applicators information about safe handling, rates, personal protective equipment, labeled crops, susceptible crops, tank mixes, avoiding drift, weeds controlled and more.  Reading the label of a pesticide is one of the most important things an applicator can do to get a job done correctly and safely. 
• Although pesticide applicators are trained to apply pesticides safely and products are labeled with instructions to prevent drift, occasionally damage occurs. SDDA receives complaint calls on pesticide drift, damage and a variety of other related incidents.
• When it is appropriate to file a complaint? Below are a few suggestions:
• ~ If damage has been done to the environment (trees, bushes etc.) or a non-target field because of spray drift
• ~ If you notice pesticide drift occurring while an applicator is spraying
• ~ A spill of over 25 gallons of liquid material or 500 lbs. dry material occurs
• A complaint must be filed within 30 days after the date the damage occurs. If a

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