Most pesticides that are applied by farmers today are quite safe to humans and the environment. Therefore, they are not heavily regulated. However, there are a group of products that are more closely regulated. These are called restricted use pesticides.

Now, before you get worried about the safety of restricted use pesticides, toxicity to humans is only one factor when discussing restricted use products. For example, the pyrethroid insecticides like Warrior, Force, Mustang, and Pounce are classified as restricted use pesticides because they are very toxic to fish, not humans. The pyrethroid insecticides are made from the synthetically reproduced poison found in the chrysanthemum flower. That's right…the poison from a flower, so obviously, these products aren't that dangerous to humans.

Anyway, today we'll talk about the recordkeeping required by the government on restricted use pesticide applications on farms. We'll discuss which products you need to keep records on. The types of records you need to keep, and how long you need to keep these records on file.

Let's start by saying this, the government requires you to keep application records on all the restricted use pesticides applied on your farm. The government does NOT require you to keep records on products that are NOT restricted use pesticides. However, we always recommend that farmers keep records on all pesticide applications, whether they are restricted use or not. This will allow you to track things like potential carryover, potential weed resistance, and other important factors.

The next thing we need to say is that you are required to have a pesticide applicator's license just to buy any restricted use pesticide. Plus, you need a pesticide applicator's license to APPLY restricted use AND NON-RESTRICTED use products. So basically, if you farm, get an applicator's license, it doesn't cost much, in fact in some states it's free, and it is required by law if you apply pesticides on your farm. More information on where to get your applicator's license and what it will cost is available on agphd.com.

The next step you need to take is to find out whether you are dealing with a restricted use pesticide or not. This information can be found on the product label. If a chemical is a restricted use product, it will state that fact right near the top of the product label. You should find the words "RESTRICTED USE PESTICIDE" on the label. If not, the product is not a restricted use chemical.

If you have a restricted use product, you are required to keep application records for 3 years. Here is the information you need: your name and applicator license number, date, crop, rough field map, legal description, acres, time, wind speed, wind direction, temperature, chemicals applied, EPA registration number of the chemicals applied, rate per acre and total quantity used in the field, adjuvants, carrier volume, and spray pressure.

We realize this is a big list, but we do have sample application logs at agphd.com if you would like a complete listing of what you need. Also, while the list is long, you should be able to fill out your records in 1 to 2 minutes per field, so don't think this is too big a project to complete. Even if you spray 10 fields in a day, you should only spend 10 minutes or so on paperwork. Plus, you usually have a couple extra minutes each time you fill up your sprayer, or just take the time when the wind picks up or the rain clouds move in and you have to quit spraying.

Well, we've covered a lot of important issues today, so let's review.

You are required to keep records on restricted use pesticide applications for 3 years. You are also required to have an applicator's license to PURCHASE restricted use products and to SPRAY both restricted and non-restricted pesticides.

For more information on restricted use pesticide recordkeeping, go to the USDA's site on it: Restricted Use Pesticide Recordkeeping Program, Q & A.

Download a sample pesticide log that you can use.