Farm Progress

This pattern is fairly common. What caused it?

Susan Winsor

July 30, 2013

1 Min Read

The "burn streak pattern " is a classic large-sprayer signature.  It is caused by reloading with a new chemical but not flushing the boom of the previous mixture.  The "V" shows the flushing of the old chemical, first in the center (shortest path from the tank) and progressing on out to the boom tips.  This photo suggests the old chemical was toxic to the new crop.  Usually the "V" is made up of weeds because the previous "chemical" was rinse water.  It often takes a quarter mile to get the entire boom spraying the correct material.   Direct injection, recirculating booms and a very smart operator can reduce this issue.  Custom sprayers who are constantly changing crops and chemicals throughout the day are very familiar with this pattern.

 

Photo courtesy of Bob Recker, Cedar Valley Innovation, Waterloo, Iowa

Pattern diagnosis by a reader from Fairbank, Iowa

About the Author(s)

Susan Winsor

Before joining Corn and Soybean Digest, Susan was an agricultural magazine editor for Miller Publishing, a newspaper reporter for Gannett newspapers and Manager, Marketing Publications for Cenex/Land O’Lakes Ag Services. She graduated from Colorado State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Journalism.

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