Wilbur-Ellis Company Supports Drift Reduction Technology
Company, ranked No.4 on the CropLife 100, helps fund cutting-edge drift tunnel system at the University of Nebraska West Central Research and Extension Center.
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(from left) Wilbur-Ellis’ Bill Bagley and University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Dr. Greg Kruger and Ryan Henry in front of the new drift tunnel system.
Wilbur-Ellis Co., in conjunction with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL), contributed funding for a drift tunnel system at the UNL West Central Research and Extension Center at North Platte. The tunnel system, unveiled at a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Center of North Platte on May 31, is only the second of its kind in the country and the first available to the industry for commercial testing.
“For years, Wilbur-Ellis has played a significant role in the area of drift reduction technology by supporting research and regulations to mandate safe, effective practices,” said Bill Bagley, manager of application technology at Wilbur-Ellis. “The drift tunnel system sets the stage for research that will help our industry better understand and correct the potential negative implications of spray drift.”
The drift tunnels feature variable speed fans at one end to simulate wind flow. The system accurately measures the size of the spray particles generated at different speeds. Researchers can apply various nozzle types, applications pressures and spray solutions in the tunnel system to test the impact of each. These measurements enable the researchers to identify which combinations best reduce the potential for pesticide drift, which occurs when pesticides drift to unintended targets.
Source: Wilbur-Ellis Co.
