50 Ways - 25. Consider Other Critical Pesticide Qualities

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50 Ways Farmers Can Protect Their Groundwater

Nitrogen

1. Set realistic yield goals
2. Test the soil
3. Credit other nitrogen sources
4. Apply nitrogen in the spring
5. Use nitrification inhibitors when effective

Scouting

6. Scout fields

Insecticides

7. Know the economic thresholds for insects
8. Consider insect-resistant crop varieties
9. Spot-treat insect infestations when possible
10. Know how tillage affects insects
11. Know how crop rotation affects insects
12. Adjust planting & harvesting dates to control insects
13. Conserve beneficial insects
14. Consider using biological insecticides

Herbicides

15. Know the economic thresholds for weeds
16. Fine-tune your weed program to reduce rates
17. Manage crops to compete aggressively with weeds
18. Don't increase herbicide rates with conservation tillage
19. Band herbicides and cultivate
20. Control weeds with cover crops

Pesticide Selection

21. Determine the organic-matter of your soil
22. Determine your soil's potential for leaching
23. Determine your pesticide's potential for leaching
24. Determine the soil-pesticide interaction rating
25. Consider other critical pesticide qualities

Pesticide application

26. Select the proper nozzle tips
27. Calibrate your sprayer
28. Consider direct injection
29. SPrevent backsiphoning

Pesticide disposal and storage

30. Rinse chemical containers thoroughly
31. Dispose of rinsed containers safely
32. Dispose of excess chemicals safely
33. Store agrichemicals safely
34. Prevent and clean up chemical spills
35. Construct a rinse pad

Site conditions, wells, and septic systems

36. Know your well site conditions
37. Locate your well away from contamination sources
38. Make sure your well is constructed properly
39. Seal abandoned wells
40. Make sure your septic system operates correctly

Water testing & treatment

41. Test your water routinely
42. Test your water for coliform bacteria & nitrate
43. Test you water for pesticides
44. Know the signs of contaminants in drinking water
45. Select effective water-treatment methods

46. Store livestock waste properly
47. Have old, underground fuel storage tanks removed
48. Dispose of other hazardous waste safely
49. Take precautions when irrigating
50. Take precautions when chemigating

25. Consider Other Critical Pesticide Qualities
	Whenever you consider the impact of pesticide on groundwater, the leaching potential is the place to start, but it isn't the place to end your evaluation. Many other factors shape your decision about a pesticide's environmental impact. Three of the most important are the use rate, the toxicity to specific organisms, and the formulation.
	The application rate of a pesticide will greatly affect the likelihood that a pesticide will reach groundwater. Some of the newer pesticides on the market can be applied at very low rates, decreasing the risk.
	When selecting pesticides, be aware of the plant and animal life in your area, and take necessary precautions. An insecticide may have a low use rate and low potential for leaching. But it is still a wrong choice if it is particularly toxic to honeybees in the area.
	In most cases, different pesticide formulations do not pose different risks to groundwater—except in one case. In general, microencapsulated formulations can decrease leaching.