All aerial applicators performing application services for Keystone Cooperative must comply with the following guidelines. Failure to comply with these guidelines will disqualify an applicator/business from applying for Keystone Cooperative.
1. Compliance with Weather Guidelines
- Must follow all label restrictions for wind speed, temperature inversions, and humidity
- Must have documented protocols for checking and recording weather conditions before and during application
- If application is done in adverse weather conditions, application company/applicator is liable for all damages
2. Rain Fast
- Must adhere to rainfast intervals for the products being applied
- Must not request or accept product from Keystone if rain is expected before application can meet rainfast requirements
3. Wind & Setbacks
- Enforce buffer zones and setbacks per label and local regulations, including, but not limited to, pools, parks, children's play areas, and golf courses
- Provide to Keystone the method for monitoring drift potential (e.g., using wind meters, mapping tools)
- Check for any "No fly zones" prior to application
- Check "Drift Watch" prior to application
- Check "Endangered species act" website prior to application
4. Spray Pattern Verification
- Must provide the process for checking nozzle calibration and spray uniformity
- Provide weekly, pattern checks or cards to validate coverage
5. Chemistry Sales
- If chemistry sales are offered, the product must be purchased through Keystone
- 1. Preferred vendors offer application services only
6. Timelines and Accuracy
- Keystone will provide 36-48-hour lead time when application is requested. Keystone requests every effort to spray products no less the 72 hours after notification or within 24 hours of receiving product.
- As applied maps available at the request of Keystone- provided 72 hours after request
7. Best Practices
- Fly when the plants are most receptive to application (i.e., morning, night)
- Height over crop adjustments- maintain set height over crop regardless of terrain
8. Risk Mitigation
- Provide SOP (Standard Operating Procedure) - this should cover weather checks, drift management, spray pattern verification, compliance with label requirements, and the changing of products and clean out
- Comply with insurance and contractual requirements - complete packet on an annual basis
- Comply with signed agreement prohibiting the use of grower data for marketing or selling products or services
- Provide as applied maps upon request
I acknowledge and agree to comply with these guidelines.