NAAA Meets with Crop Protection Industry to Advance Aerial Application

This week NAAA President Matt Woolard and NAAA Vice President Joel Meyer attended the joint CropLife America (CLA), The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) and the Council of Producers and Distributors of Agrotechnology (CPDA) annual meetings in Dallas, TX. They were accompanied by NAAA consultant Jay Vroom of DCLRS and NAAA staff. NAAA was able to meet with representatives from several companies including BASF, Atticus, Belchim USA, Drexel, Corteva, Gowan, Chemorse, Helena, Bayer, and the Ag Container Recycling Council.

NAAA focused the conversations on the how it can assist companies in navigating the pesticide registration and review process, ensuring aerial applications are included on product labels. Also discussed was the association’s concern with the lack of precision and professionalism seen with some drone applications, and the danger that represents to maintaining aerial application on pesticide labels. The effectiveness of lower volume aerial applications was also covered, with several companies expressing interest in future discussions on how NAAA may be able to help with trials necessary to get products labeled for reduced aerial spray application volumes. Attending meetings such as these is part of NAAA’s ongoing efforts to ensure aerial applicators have access to the products their customers need to maintain healthy crops and protect yields.