Spray drift from Herbicides causes significant losses

The problem is especially pronounced with GE crop sprays

Farmers in the US are experiencing significant corn crop losses from herbicide drift (blown by the wind), where the drift is onto adjoining crops which are not suited to the herbicide concerned. According to agronomists at Mississippi State University Extension this problem has led to thousand of acres of corn having to be replanted this year. They point out that opportunites for spray drift damage are increased with the use of herbicide resistant (HR) crops such as 'Roundup-Ready' varieties.

Damage from spray drift is taking place over a mile from the application site and trees, in addition to other vegetation, can be vulnerable. The problem is further worsened by the fact that broad-spectrum herbicides like glyphosate can be used on HR crops relatively late in the season after trees have 'leafed out'. On non-HR crops herbicides such as Roundup are instead used in early season pre-plant 'burn-down' programmes when the impact of spray drift is less (although it can clearly still be very significant).

Corn
Dr. Erick Larson

Herbicide drift - A tremendous number of off-target herbicide drift problems on corn have occurred this spring. Corn planted during the warm, dry conditions of early March emerged quickly, and unfortunately, thousands of acres were destroyed by careless burn-down herbicide applications. Corn injury from herbicide application was often documented more than one mile away from the target field. Do not apply any herbicides during conditions conducive to off-target drift. Extreme caution is required when susceptible crops are downwind. Increasing acreage of herbicide-tolerant crops may also raise potential for corn injury from herbicide drift during May as well.