December 14, 2007

Private pesticide applicators holding licenses that expire in 2008, as well as anyone seeking first-time private applicator certification, should contact their local extension office for information on training sessions that begin in January.

Licensed private pesticide applicators can buy and use restricted-use pesticides in their own farming operations after completing this training. More than 12,000 private applicators statewide are eligible for recertification in 2008. Training topics include updated results from the Agricultural Health Study, which includes responses from 90,000 pesticide applicators and their spouses from Iowa and North Carolina.

UNL Extension Cropping Systems Specialist Robert Klein compares effectiveness of two drift reduction spray nozzles in one program segment and gives guidance on conducting high quality pesticide applications in another.

Klein also will discuss wet versus dry spray boom set-up, said UNL Extension Pesticide Safety Educator Clyde Ogg.Extension Entomologist Bob Wright will give updates on insects affecting soybeans and Extension Plant Pathologist Loren Geisler will have updates on soybean rust.

Other training topics include soybean aphid identification and management, as well as drift reduction nozzles, pesticide residue in tractor cabs, protective pesticide clothing and equipment, updates on pesticide laws and regulations and special emphasis on pesticide storage security, Ogg said.

Private applicators needing recertification in 2008 should have received a letter notifying them of that fact from the Nebraska Department of Agriculture in mid-December, Ogg said.

The letter includes a bar code, which eliminates the requirement to complete the standard NDA application form for those wanting to recertify, he said. Applicators having the bar-coded letter with them at training sessions will not have to fill out the application form.

All who are eligible for recertification will be notified by their local extension office of recertification training sessions in their area, Ogg said.

UNL Extension provides the educational training, while NDA is responsible for licensing. Cost of training is $30 per person.For a list of training sessions, sites and dates, contact your nearest extension office or go online to http://pested.unl.edu/privateschedule.

After applicators complete training, certification applications will be sent to NDA, which will send a bill to the applicator for the $25 state license fee, Ogg said.

Steven W. Ress
Communications Coordinator, UNL Water Center