Aerial Zone Spray Release

Calgary, Alberta, June 18, 2020

This season, xarvio™ Digital Farming Solutions, powered by BASF, is pleased to announce that canola fungicide Zone Spray on/off prescriptions for aerial application are now available in xarvio FIELD MANAGER. Aerial formats include Satloc®, AG-NAV, and generic shapefiles to work with virtually any guidance controller that has auto-boom shutoff installed.

Jon Bagley, Manager of Westman Aerial Spraying Ltd. in Manitoba stated, “We used xarvio last season on some of the canola fields in the Brandon area. In those particular fields, where germination and plant stand was variable it saved the farmer about $900-$1000 per field. The added benefit was that the environmental impact was reduced by putting the fungicide only in places where it would be effective in reducing the impact of disease. We see this as a valuable tool right now for our farmer customers and we are excited to see how this technology will grow in its uses.”

“We’ve been testing Aerial Zone Spray with pilots for the past three years and we’re confident it’s an accurate and effective way to apply canola sclerotinia fungicide by management zone”, said Doug Mackay, xarvio Senior Commercial Project Manager.

There are many benefits to both the grower and Ag Pilot using Aerial Zone Spray on/off prescriptions in their canola fields:

Growers:

• No tracks in the field, saving potential yield losses from wheel trampling

• Savings in fungicide by treating the right acres with the highest yield potential

• Making your fungicide application decision easier with growth stage and disease risk models and notifications

• Easy to use platform that can transfer on/off prescriptions to your aerial applicator right from your smartphone

• More time to focus on other business or family activities

Ag Pilots:

• Cover the whole field while treating the right acres

• Less water and fungicide per field, less fills, less ferry trips

• Get paid for covering the cropped area of the field

• Less stress and fatigue while flying by having auto-boom shutoff take care of turning the spray on and off automatically instead of constantly judging where to do so

• Confidence in doing a professional job with differentiating technology
  

Due to the current pandemic situation and many growers not being able to meet in person with their advisor or aerial applicator, we’ve made xarvio FIELD MANAGER completely FREE for the 2020 season to put effective digital tools in their hands and manage their fields through virtual contact.

Sign up for a free xarvio FIELD MANAGER account today at www.xarvio.com/caView the Aerial Zone Spray training webinar on YouTube HERE

caaa and Covid-19

March 26, 2020

 Dear Members,

 Our country, and the world, is facing truly extraordinary times. As an Association we have heard from Operators and members who have expressed concerns not only for the health and welfare of their employees but also for the financial future of their companies. Many operators are currently feeling an extreme burden when the focus should be on training and preparations for the coming 2020 spray season. 

Operators have incurred costly maintenance on their aircraft and paid staff wages throughout the winter months anticipating a busy 2020 spray season. Virtually all operators are now financially exposed because of the crisis we find ourselves facing due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic comes at the most venerable time of the year for Operators and leaves Operators with the uncertainty of canceled bookings and contracts.

 The CAAA has been in communication with Provincial and Federal governments at the Ministerial level to ensure that aerial application is considered part of Canada’s essential services and operations are not affected for the 2020 season. The government acknowledges that aviation has been one of the most adversely affected industries and we are working to ensure that all Economic Stimulus plans, put forth by our governments, recognize the vital role aerial application plays in Canadian agriculture and forestry sectors.

 CAAA has sent letters to Agriculture and Health Ministers at the federal and provincial levels clarifying our role as an essential service. As we move forward in our communication with the government(s), we will work to keep our membership informed. If you are experiencing or expecting to experience, financial hardships due to the COVID-19 pandemic please review the government’s current response to the financial hardship for Canadian businesses through this link.

 Please do not hesitate to contact the CAAA office with any questions or comments.

Stay healthy,

Darren Tiede
CAAA President

Surprise! We're Auctioning off a Plane!

The Canadian Aerial Applicators Association is excited to auction off an 1975 Cessna Ag Truck 188, courtesy of APEX Aviation.  A portion of the proceeds will go towards supporting CAAA initiatives.  

You do not need to be present to bid!  Please call Shara Tardif at the CAAA office if interested in registering for telephone bidding.

The CAAA Board would like to thank Chris McCallister and Rhonda Linde of Apex Aviation for this fantastic out-of-the-box idea!

The Board would also like to remind all members and delegates that the CAAA Auction is invaluable support of the association.  To help you with planning your purchases we have included the live auction list below. 

We look forward to seeing you all in Victoria!

1975 Cessa Ag Truck 188 - C-GMJR 

Cessna Aircraft A188B, s/n 188-02134T, 1975 
TAFT: 6468.9 hrs 

Engine: Continental Motors IO-550-D23 s/n 284410-R 
*Engine was rebuilt/Zero at TCM in 12/10/2001 installed at 4223.2 hrs TAFT 
707 hrs Engine Since Major Overhaul in Feb 9, 2010 
2245.7 hrs Engine Since TCM factory Rebuilt/Zero 
Installed as per STC# SA3243SO 

Hartzell Propeller HC-C3YF-1RF s/n EC1694B 
*Propeller Factory New Installed Apr 2002 installed at 4223.2 hrs TAFT. 
Last Propeller overhaul date is Jan 10, 2012, next due Jan 2022 
Propeller TSN 2245.7 hrs 
Propeller TSOH: 504.1 hrs 
Installed as per STC SA92-104 

High Tech Atomizer nozzles installed 2018 
SatLoc GPS and flow control installed 2018 

Fresh Annual - Commercial Standards 
Manitoba, Canada 

Any questions regarding this item can be directed to Chris McCallister

Whatever You Fly And Whatever Your Experience Focus On The Task At Hand

Reposted from: Fly Safe Campaign - National Agricultural Aviation Research and Education Foundation

Five of the nine ag aviation accidents that the NTSB has reported so far in 2019 have involved helicopters. This puts helicopters at 55 percent of ag aviation accidents. According to the 2019 NAAA Operators Survey, helicopters represent sixteen percent of the ag aviation fleet in the U.S. The FAA Rotorcraft Standards Branch indicates that the aerial application industry currently has the third highest accident rate for all helicopter industries.

The NTSB is still investigating all of these accidents, so the exact causes have yet to be verified. Based on what is known so far though, several of the accidents, both fixed wing and helicopters, have involved very experienced pilots. Inexperience can also lead to an accident. Don’t let the capabilities of the helicopter platform lure you into doing something you’re not capable of doing.

It doesn’t matter what you fly or how long you’ve been flying. Distraction and complacency can be dangerous. Just because you have done something multiple times already that day doesn’t mean you won’t forget a critical step the next time. And a single step, such as failing to detach a load hose, can result in an accident. Very familiar tasks that don’t require much conscious attention are very vulnerable to lapses if your attention is diverted even for a second. No matter what your experience level, use checklists and standard procedures to ensure that all steps and tasks are completed safely.

Glyphosate label changes. Here’s what you need to know.

forwarded by bayer

In April 2017, Health Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) granted continued registration of products containing glyphosate for sale and use in Canada following an extensive re-evaluation. The re-evaluation is a standard process conducted by the PMRA that takes place on a regular basis for all registered pesticides. This process is important to ensure that all registered pesticides continue to meet the stringent, modern standards for human health and environmental protection.

The PMRA outlined some required changes to the label and required that all glyphosate packages sold and distributed after April 28, 2019 bear an amended label. Some key changes are:

1) Restricted Entry Interval of 12 hours,
2) Additional precautionary statements on drift,
3) Certain Environmental Hazard Statements,
4) Additional Directions for Use and a Buffer Zone table, and
5) An aerial application requirement.

A complete summary of the changes can be found in a link at the bottom.

The majority of legacy Monsanto branded glyphosate SKU’s in inventory do not contain the amended label; therefore, we are putting a plan in place to address this situation and enable the products to continue to be available for sale and distribution after April 28, 2019.

Products affected are: Roundup® Transorb® HC Liquid Herbicide, Roundup WeatherMAX® with Transorb II Technology Liquid Herbicide, Roundup Xtend® with VaporGrip® Technology Herbicide, R/T 540 Liquid Herbicide and VisionMax® Silvicultural Herbicide.

DOWNLOAD THE UPDATED LABEL

MORE INFORMATION

Before the Plate - now streaming

The questions, the stories and the people behind where our food comes from and how it gets to our plate. Featuring John Horne, Executive Chef of the renowned Canoe restaurant in downtown Toronto.

WATCH HERE

Before The Plate attempts to close the gap in perception between the urban consumer and farming in Canada. Modern consumers are increasingly interested in where and how their food gets to them, but accurate information is hard to come by and often feels out of reach. Before The Plate follows young farmers and industry experts in order to show the general population what a modern Canadian farm operation looks like, and answer the most pressing questions consumers have about their food. The film will follow food staples of the Canadian diet all the way from the farm to the harvesting and processing operations, and showcase the final product at Canoe, one of Toronto's most prestigious restaurants. The project will follow various types of agriculture, including both organic and conventional practices to answer some of the biggest questions related to farming in our society.

Air Tractor Announces New Dealer for Canada

OLNEY, TEXAS — Air Tractor, Inc. President Jim Hirsch announced today the addition of a new Air Tractor® dealership for Canada. Portage Aircraft Specialties, located in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, will serve agricultural aerial applicators across Canada as the authorized dealer for Air Tractor aircraft sales, repairs, maintenance and parts. “We are excited and pleased to have Portage Aircraft Specialties join the Air Tractor family of dealers,” said Hirsch. “I am confident they will provide the kind of exceptional service and support that Air Tractor owners have come to expect.”  

Queen Bee Air Specialties President Chip Kemper, the Air Tractor dealer for the Northwest United States and Canada, and Portage Aircraft Specialties President Dave Frisch, brought the idea to Air Tractor for transitioning the Canadian retail distribution rights for Air Tractor ag aircraft to Portage Aircraft Specialties. After a long process of discovery by all parties the transition has moved forward.  

The agreement fulfills the goals of all parties involved, remarked Chip Kemper. “Dave and I have had a long and productive relationship for many years. I think it's going to be terrific for Air Tractor and the Canadian aerial application industry. There will be a service center and large parts stock in Canada, operated by a dealer that is a Canadian.  I believe it will be fantastic for Portage Aircraft Specialties and all the Air Tractor customers in Canada. I wish Dave and their staff every success.”  

Dave Frisch is a long-time Air Tractor aircraft owner. He grew up on a mixed grain and livestock farm in the Manitou area and began his ag flying career in 1999. Frisch serves on the Canadian Aerial Applicators Association Board and is currently the Manitoba Aerial Applicators Association President. He owns and manages an aerial application business as well as Portage Aircraft Maintenance, which opened its doors in 2004 to answer the need for a maintenance facility specializing in the growing numbers of turbine Air Tractor aircraft entering Canada.  

“We are proud and delighted to represent Air Tractor agricultural aircraft in Canada. Air Tractor produces a great airplane,” Frisch said. “I have flown them for many years. Our maintenance facility has kept Air Tractor customers flying for thousands of trouble-free hours.” Portage Aircraft Specialties has an 8,400 square foot, climate-controlled, state-of-the-art maintenance facility in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba. “We provide a comprehensive range of maintenance and repair services. We are expanding our inventory of Air Tractor parts to provide overnight parts delivery to aerial application operators across Canada,” Frisch added.  

Air Tractor President Jim Hirsch noted that Canadian aerial applicators are using Air Tractor turbine powered airplanes for fast, efficient applications of crop protection and nutrient products. “Canada has been and remains a key market for Air Tractor. Dave’s leadership in the Canadian Aerial Applicators Association and the strong, steady reputation he’s earned among his fellow aerial applicators makes me believe that Portage Aircraft Specialties will be an outstanding representative for Air Tractor products.”  

For more information about Portage Aircraft Specialties, visit www.portageaircraft.ca or contact Dave Frisch, President of Portage Aircraft Specialties at sales@portageaircraft.caor call 1-204-857-4151.  

About Air Tractor  

At its Olney Texas manufacturing facilities, Air Tractor produces a line of aircraft that includes 400, 500, 600 and 800-gallon capacity airplanes powered by Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6 turboprop engines. The airplanes are used for agricultural aerial application, fire fighting, narcotic crop eradication, fuel hauling, fighting locust plagues, and cleaning oil spills in coastal waters. From North, South and Central America, to Australia, Indonesia and China to Spain, Italy, Croatia and Africa, Air Tractor aircraft can be found working in more than 30 countries around the world and are supported by a global network of Air Tractor dealers. More information can be found at airtractor.com.  

PMRA Issues Information Note Regarding the Use of Drones when Applying Pesticides

Health Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) has released a statement regarding the use of pest control products and unmanned aerial vehicles (drones).

The aerial application industry in Canada is aware that drone technology is up and coming and that drones are considered aircraft by Transport Canada. But as the article states operators of drones “are responsible for meeting other applicable regulatory requirements established by other Government of Canada departments.”

According to Pest Control Products Regulations in Canada all pest control products, including limitations and procedures to reduce associated risks of the product, must be clearly indicated on the product label. Currently, no label amendment applications for the use of drones in applying pest control products have been submitted for approval in Canada.

For individuals interested in using drones as a method for applying pest control products they must first work with the registrant to submit a label amendment “applications to PMRA, along with sufficient data to characterize the hazards/risks associated with this use.”

What this means is drones are not permitted to be used to apply pest control products in Canada. For more information or to read the full article released by the Health Canada please follow this link.

Sincerely,

Shara Tardif
Executive Director
Canadian Aerial Applicators Association
P: (780) 413-0078
www.canadianaerialapplicators.com
info@canadianaerialapplicators.com
shara@managewise.ca