September 21, 2020 - Turf Matters

Sprayer testing changes from November: As part of the Sustainable Use Directive (SUD), pesticide application equipment (PAE) testing became a legal requirement in 2016. Any machine applying a professional pesticide must be tested by the specified dates and at regular intervals thereafter.

To explain this in a bit more detail, the change affects sprayers that are more than 5 years old and have a boom width over 3 metres, air blast sprayers, aircraft, and train sprayers. Currently a test is required every 5 years, but from 26^th November it changes to every 3 years. So, for any sprayer of this type tested before November 2017, a re-test is due by that date.

Sprayer testing changes from November

It is also important to note that sprayers tested any time after 26^th November 2017, the test is only valid for 3 years, so if your sprayer was tested for example in June 2018, the next test is due in June 2021.

For all other types of PAE, which includes boom sprayers 3 metres and under, weed wipers, slug pellet and granular applicators and a range of other machines, the requirements remain unchanged at 6 yearly cycles for retest.

Crop assurance scheme requirements haven’t changed so sprayers are still required to be tested annually. Regular testing is important in helping to ensure safe and accurate application of pesticides, protecting the environment and waterways, but also helping to safeguard the availability of products for the future. A regularly tested machine will reduce the risk of breakdowns, when timing of applications can be crucial for efficient control of weeds, pests and diseases.

The need for an integrated pest management (IPM) plan to be carried out helps ensure that when the decision has been made to use a pesticide, that the equipment is calibrated and has been tested to a standard that will apply the product in a safe and sustainable way.

For more information visit www.nsts.org.uk.

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Cricket club hit by vandals: “Mindless” vandals who drove across a cricket pitch causing extensive damage for the second time in 13 months have left the ground’s owners feeling “angry and hopeless”.

Players and staff at Bradenham Cricket Club were fuming after finding their newly treated cricket ground full of tyre marks on Friday, September 18.

Cricket club hit by vandals

Brett Gates, the groundsman at the club, arrived at the green on Friday morning when he discovered the damage.

In a post on Twitter, he said: “Bad news overnight is that vandals have driven across the cricket pitch.

“Not only the outfield but across the square too. Just one week after the end of season work had been done.”

Norfolk Cricket also took to social media to slam the ‘mindless vandalism’ that took place, after the club saw an identical incident take place just over a year ago.

Tim Evans, chairman at Bradenham Cricket Club, said: “It’s the second time this has happened now, it’s nonsense.

“The club has just paid quite a lot of money on putting the ground to rest, that was only one week ago.

“We thought about getting cameras after it happened last year but it’s an expense we would struggle to pay for.

“I just feel helpless, it is so disappointing. We, as a club, pride ourselves on our community spirit so it’s incredibly difficult for us to see this.”

The club had just finished the 2020 season after it was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Last week the club spent around £1,500 to keep the square protected and get it ready for next season.

“They must have been driving with their lights off because they drove through metal rods and wires surrounding the square,” said Mr Evans.

“We’re thankful that the damage was done at the end of the season, it’s just frustrating that we paid all that money last week.

“The ground should have enough time to recover until the next season in April, we will just have to roll it out as best as we can.”

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