If soybean rust arrives in Illinois, many growers will be forced to make widespread applications of fungicides for the first time during the coming growing season. As a result, it is essential for them to become familiar with the regulations governing the use of those products, according to Scott Bretthauer, application technology specialist with University of Illinois Extension.
"Under current regulations, only farmers who apply restricted use pesticides need a private applicator license," Bretthauer said. "All the fungicides labeled for soybeans, however, are general use pesticides. This means that there are no licenses required to apply this product to their own crop."
He notes that a farmer can also apply general use pesticides for as many as two neighbors without a license, but only on the basis of exchange for labor.
"If the pesticides applied for the neighbors are restricted use pesticides, then the farmer needs a private applicator license," Bretthauer said. "A commercial applicator license is required for custom or for-profit applications using restricted or general use pesticides. Spraying soybeans for hire falls under the license category designated for field crops."
He points out that the commercial applicator license costs $45 per year. Before becoming licensed as a commercial applicator, the applicant must provide the Illinois Department of Agriculture with proof of insurance.
"To become a licensed applicator, a person must demonstrate competence in pesticide use by passing a written general standards exam and one or more written category exams," Bretthauer said. "Each category is designed for pesticide use requiring specific professional knowledge. A company’s entire range of pesticide use must be covered by the categories on the applicator’s license."
He notes that the license is good for one calendar year and is renewable without examination for three years at the discretion of the director of the Illinois Department of Agriculture. An applicator must reestablish competency through retesting at three year intervals.
"It is important to realize that there are no more training sessions for the field crops category available this winter," Bretthauer said. "A field crops manual and workbook are available for study at home."
