The applicator must always maintain a 30 foot downwind buffer. To maintain the label required downwind buffer zone, the applicator must measure the wind direction prior to the start of any swath that is within 30 feet of a sensitive area. No application can be made in an area that is within 30 feet of a sensitive area if the wind direction is towards the sensitive area. Applicators can still use out-of-field non-sensitive crops and areas in the total buffer distance calculation. Follow all label requirements for the protection of sensitive areas.

What are the label buffer requirements for the use of new 2,4-D products?

The applicator must always maintain a 30 foot downwind buffer. To maintain the label required downwind buffer zone, the applicator must measure the wind direction prior to the start of any swath that is within 30 feet of a sensitive area. No application can be made in an area that is within 30 feet of a sensitive area if the wind direction is towards the sensitive area. Applicators can still use out-of-field non-sensitive crops and areas in the total buffer distance calculation. Follow all label requirements for the protection of sensitive areas.

No

Non-sensitive crops and areas include:

  • Roads, paved or gravel surfaces;
  • Areas covered by the footprint of a building, silo, shade house, feed crib, greenhouse, or other manmade structure with walls and or roof;
  • Agricultural fields that have been prepared for planting; and planted agricultural fields containing crops other than those listed under the “Susceptible Plants” section of the label (the applicator must evaluate all factors and make appropriate adjustments when applying these products).
What are non-sensitive crops and areas that do not need the 30 foot downwind buffer?

Non-sensitive crops and areas include:

  • Roads, paved or gravel surfaces;
  • Areas covered by the footprint of a building, silo, shade house, feed crib, greenhouse, or other manmade structure with walls and or roof;
  • Agricultural fields that have been prepared for planting; and planted agricultural fields containing crops other than those listed under the “Susceptible Plants” section of the label (the applicator must evaluate all factors and make appropriate adjustments when applying these products).
No

Any area other than the list of non-sensitive areas on the label are considered sensitive areas. For example: wooded area, water bodies, residential areas, etc.

What are sensitive areas?

Any area other than the list of non-sensitive areas on the label are considered sensitive areas. For example: wooded area, water bodies, residential areas, etc.

No

Sometimes yes, but oftentimes buffers are required on several sides. Applicators should remember that buffers will often be required on two or more downwind sides of a target field if wind direction is not constant and non-target sites are not positioned completely perpendicular to one another. A 45-degree wind direction would require a buffer on two downwind sides.

Is a buffer required on just one side of a 2,4-D-treated field?

Sometimes yes, but oftentimes buffers are required on several sides. Applicators should remember that buffers will often be required on two or more downwind sides of a target field if wind direction is not constant and non-target sites are not positioned completely perpendicular to one another. A 45-degree wind direction would require a buffer on two downwind sides.

No

Yes, regardless of who owns the wooded lot, it is label-defined as a sensitive uncultivated area that may harbor a sensitive plant species or endangered species. Therefore, even an adjacent wooded lot that you own or control is required to have a downwind buffer.

If I own a wooded lot downwind of my target field, do I need a downwind buffer?

Yes, regardless of who owns the wooded lot, it is label-defined as a sensitive uncultivated area that may harbor a sensitive plant species or endangered species. Therefore, even an adjacent wooded lot that you own or control is required to have a downwind buffer.

No