Pesticide Application Training
Bruce Treffer
Two private pesticide applicator training sessions have been scheduled in Dawson County in February and March. According to County Extension Educator, Bruce Treffer, about 125 farmers are expected to participate in order to obtain or renew certificates allowing the purchase of restricted use pesticides (RUPs).
Farmers may choose one of the following dates and locations, or one of 40 others scheduled in the surrounding area.
February 2 - Lexington, 1 - 4 p.m., Extension Office, Fairgrounds, 1002 Plum Creek Parkway
March 2 - Cozad, 1- 4 p.m., Cozad Elks Club, 820 J Street
March 2 - Cozad, 1- 4 p.m., Cozad Elks Club, 820 J Street
Prompt arrival is requested as Federal regulations require that participants attend all of a session.
Producers need to check their state issued applicator certificate. If it has already expired, if it expires in 2010, or if they have never had one and they anticipate purchasing any restricted use pesticides, they need to attend one of the meetings or complete a self-study manual.
Producers need to check their state issued applicator certificate. If it has already expired, if it expires in 2010, or if they have never had one and they anticipate purchasing any restricted use pesticides, they need to attend one of the meetings or complete a self-study manual.
“Commonly used restricted use pesticides include many of the corn rootworm insecticides, atrazine and other common herbicides and prairie dog poison baits. The list continues to grow," said Treffer.
Those that need to recertify in 2010 should have received mail notification from the Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA). The letter contains a bar code that eliminates the need to complete the standard NDA application form, said Treffer. It really saves time and effort if you bring it with you to the training, he said. Those applying for first time certification must complete a form at the meeting. The training cost is $30 per person.
Several years ago, the Nebraska Legislature also added a state license fee of $25 for private applicators. After completing the training and certification application, the NDA will bill the applicator for the additional $25 fee. The fee covers a three-year certification and replaces the defunct fertilizer tax. As with the tax, the fee will fund educational programming by the state’s Natural Resource Districts.
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