T6105 - Aerial crop spraying (when licensed by the Canadian Transport Commission and having a place of business in Saskatchewan)

Operational Details
Aerial application offers some unique advantages to modern farmers. It allows the application of fungicides, herbicides, or insecticides in a timely manner (morning and evening), even in wet conditions. Crop loss due to compaction is non-existent, as are ruts or trampled straw, which can cause problems when harvesting or direct seeding.

Applicators must exercise care when applying products to fields from the air. Distribution must be even. If not, there may be overspray into other farmers fields and the pilot is to protects others’ property from collateral damage. General guidelines dictate not to aerial spray when there are winds over 15 km/hr (9.3 mph), or less if specified on the product label. The width of spray is also calculated not to be greater than 1.25 metres of wingspan. The nozzles are spaced on the boom to give a uniform distribution in spite of the swirl from the propeller and vortexes at the wingtips.

Crops must be sprayed at "safe times", and the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture may be consulted with to determine when the application would have the best effect. There is also a need to determine which type of spray is to be used.

Slow or low powered aircraft are used in crop spraying and there are still some by-planes (upper and lower wing spans) that are used. This is because higher powered engines would cause more turbulence and the pilot would not be able to be as precise in applying the chemicals.

This industry does not include crop sprayers who do not have a base of operations in the province.

SIC Codes
000000863 - Aerial crop spraying