Plenary & Invited Speakers
Plenary
Dr. Michael Reinke
Viticulture Specialist
Michigan State University
Application Drones: A New Tool for Modern Pest Management Strategies
Application drones are becoming more widely recognized around the world as viable new alternatives to traditional pesticide application systems. The unique combination of aerial application, remote operation, and rotating liquid atomizer release systems has resulted in unprecedented adaptability from this technology. A standard drone with no modifications is capable of targeted pesticide applications in remote locations, broad pest management programs in agricultural systems, and spot applications against invasive species in municipal situations. This unique adaptability brings with it unique challenges. An application drone user is confronted with more variables that can be adjusted more readily than has been possible with previous application systems. A drone pilot can adjust drone height, speed, swath width, application flow rate, droplet size, and flight direction in real time; all of which can affect the quality of a product application. Knowledge of how these variables can affect applications and product efficacy is extremely important when setting a drone up for an effective application. This presentation will discuss some of the more challenging variables. Application drones will also be compared to traditional application systems by sharing results from two years of season-long pest management efficacy programs performed in grape production systems in the United States.
Biography
Mike is the Viticulture Specialist for Michigan State University Extension, based at the Southwest Michigan Research and Extension Center located in the heart of Michigan’s largest grape production area. He has been helping producers in various fruit and vegetable production systems for 25 years. His PhD in entomology and his predilection for new tools and techniques have converged into an interest in new pesticide application systems. He has been evaluating and developing new sprayer systems for the last 6 years at Michigan State University with a particular interest in application drones. Mike has become one of the leading authorities in North America on application drone use in fruit production systems; regularly evaluating their capabilities, developing new hardware to improve applications, and assisting private drone users and commercial applicators.
Invited
Angela Fawcett
Regulatory Product Manager
Corteva Agriscience
Garlon XRT - Canada's First Herbicide With Drone Application: Challenges & Successes
This presentation demonstrates the roadmap that was used to secure the first herbicide label with drone application in Canada. Garlon XRT Herbicide, an industrial vegetation management product, is now registered for application with drones, marking a significant milestone in the use of drones for agricultural applications. The approval process involved extensive data collection and collaboration with both industry and regulatory agencies. We will outline some of the data requirements needed as well as the many challenges along the way. We explain Health Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency requirements in addition to their contribution to this project and their position with regards to current and future label requirements for drone use. The purpose of this presentation is to provide a better understanding of the obstacles, challenges and ultimately the success of being able to provide growers a new tool in their tool box and what the road ahead might look like for future drone application.
Biography
Angela is a Regulatory Affairs Manager with Corteva Agriscience, focusing on IVM and PLM herbicides, and horticulture insecticides, fungicides and nematicides. She grew up on a dairy farm in eastern Ontario, then earned a BSs. (agr) with a specialization in agronomy from the University of Guelph. She spent 8 years as a territory manager for DuPont, based in southern Ontario. She has been with Corteva for 29 years, and has been employed in her current role as Regulatory Affairs Manager since 2007. She lives in Sebringville, ON with her 3 daughters.