Chemical application on farms is a learned process

By MANDY SPIKES | Central Texas Edition

Lyle Zoeller Coryell County Extension Agent

July 31, 2003 -- Integrated pest management, an ecological approach to pest control, is a pest population management system that anticipates and prevents pests from causing damage. This management system uses pesticide alternatives to reduce the total amount of pesticide chemicals. By doing this it decreases the opportunity for pests to develop resistance.

According to the federal law that regulates the sale and use of pesticides, only a private pesticide applicator can use or supervise the use of a restricted-use or state-limited use pesticide or a regulated herbicide for the purpose of producing an agricultural commodity. A person who needs to get a private pesticide applicator license can do so through most Extension offices.

The procedure for getting a license is purchasing study materials for the test and participating in a two to three hour training.

The Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) administers the test. A score of 70 percent or better allows a person to apply for the license. The license costs $50 and is good for five years. To maintain the license, the producer must obtain 15 continuing education units over a five year time.

"This license is important because it allows producers to buy products for brush and weed control," explained Lyle Zoeller, Coryell County Extension agent. "I usually offer this training two times a year, once in the spring and once in the fall. It's important that producers that need this license sign up for the training and go take the test."

He stated that while some producers don't need the license, many will in order to buy certain restricted-use or state-limited use pesticides.

"The TDA administers the test because they are one of the two agencies that registers pesticides. The other is the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency."

Zoeller said the training is important because it has proven to help producers pass the test. "Getting the materials ahead of time and going over the information before the test allows them to think about the information. Not only do they hear the information on the video, but we go over it in depth orally."

He added that the producer is learning important information which can open their eyes to the legal responsibility of pesticides.