Officials from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) had the chance to witness spray drift reduction technology in person during a product demonstration organized by AEM last week in Queenstown, Maryland.
Nearly three dozen officials from the EPA and several state agency officials traveled to a research farm operated by the University of Maryland’s Wye Research & Education Center for a daylong demonstration of sprayers produced by AEM members. Watch the video above.
The event, which was organized in conjunction with the Agricultural Retailers Association, offered officials the chance to interact with farm machinery and understand the many layers of technology that sprayer manufacturers employ to reduce spray drift.
AEM members John Deere, AGCO, Case IH, GVM and TeeJet brought a variety of equipment to the demonstration. AEM member Hardi also set up a display to explain their technology, and Helicopter Applicators, Inc. was onsite to demonstrate aerial application technology.
“This demonstration offered AEM members a terrific opportunity to demonstrate the many steps manufacturers voluntarily take to reduce spray drift, both for the sake of their customers and the environment,” said Nick Tindall, AEM senior director for government and industry relations. “We believe this demo day will help AEM members establish a foundation for a better working relationship with the EPA on matters of importance for equipment manufacturers.”
The event was the outgrowth of earlier efforts to engage EPA on the issue of spray drift reduction, and convey the many incentives manufacturers have to reduce spray drift.
Also joining the event were staff from other ag industry associations, including National Corn Growers Association, National Cotton Council of America, National Agricultural Aviation Association and CropLife America.
