What To Say, If Anything...

Super-H-Mike · Jun 22, 2016

I am not a full time farmer anymore, but my cousins who now own the bulk of the family farm land are. I cleared a
wooded area of over growth and planted a strip of oats as a cover crop for grasses and alfalfa that I planned to cut
for hay. I also planted sweet corn and squash in a smaller fenced area. Anyway, the cousins sprayed soybeans on a day
with a strong east wind and drifted my plantings. Pretty much ruined it all.
Now, this is not really an economic loss for me, more of an act of inconsideration. Sloppy farming on their part, IMO
. I worked pretty hard on all that planting and clearing. I can try again next year, not a real big deal. I would like
to bring it to their attention but don't really expect any compensation of any kind. I am not mad enough to start a
fight /feud over it... So , I am struggling with what to say and how to approach it . Ideas guys ?

GordoSD · Jun 22, 2016

How did you find out what they did? Did they admit they sprayed with the east wind. If so, the matter is done with. If they feel responsible it is up to them what to do. Not you.

oldtanker · Jun 22, 2016

(quoted from post at 07:31:59 06/22/16) I am not a full time farmer anymore, but my cousins who now own the bulk of the family farm land are. I cleared a
wooded area of over growth and planted a strip of oats as a cover crop for grasses and alfalfa that I planned to cut
for hay. I also planted sweet corn and squash in a smaller fenced area. Anyway, the cousins sprayed soybeans on a day
with a strong east wind and drifted my plantings. Pretty much ruined it all.
Now, this is not really an economic loss for me, more of an act of inconsideration. Sloppy farming on their part, IMO
. I worked pretty hard on all that planting and clearing. I can try again next year, not a real big deal. I would like
to bring it to their attention but don't really expect any compensation of any kind. I am not mad enough to start a
fight /feud over it... So , I am struggling with what to say and how to approach it . Ideas guys ?

I just tell em up front "I don't expect to be compensated but when you sprayed..........." Then "I want to try again next year so please be careful of drift next year". Then just leave it at that. Then next spring just remind them to be careful.

Rick

BradyW · Jun 22, 2016

You could way a few weeks then drive your truck across the middle of the field to go check your crop and see if he gets the point!

oldtanker · Jun 22, 2016

I would take a guess that he hasn't brought it to their attention yet. That's what the OP's basically saying.

Why try for revenge? He did say he doesn't want to start a feud. Driving through his field, a field that a full time farmer needs is not a way to prevent a family squabble.

Rick

Goose · Jun 22, 2016

That's the way I'd handle it as it obviously wasn't intentional.

Super-H-Mike · Jun 22, 2016

That's pretty much what I had in mind too, thanks

Traditional Farmer · Jun 22, 2016

You really think slobs like that are going to care?If left up to them they'll just keep on doing it.That's like the cops telling a bank that's been robbed that if the robbers
feel responsible its up to them to do something about it.What a joke.If it were my field they sprayed I'd bet the farm they wouldn't do it again.

Super-H-Mike · Jun 22, 2016

Their field butts up to the land I am referring to, I was home that day and there was a strong east wind, I myself would have never sprayed anything on a day like that. You can see the waves of drift across my oats in the brown colors. There is no question that is what happened.

wilson ind · Jun 22, 2016

Come on Communication is the answer. Thirty years ago I unintentionally killed my neighbors potato patch. I never knew it for several years. Had I known I would have gladly bought all the potatoes they required for the year.Never a feud just some hurt feelings. I just never looked at their garden, or I would have noticed. The patch is south west of my field, therefor I though I was safe. Just yesterday neighbor called said he was going to spray, maybe I wanted to put cover over small box garden. I was happy to do so. I repete communication is the key here.

donjr · Jun 22, 2016

With the wind around here this year, I have had to spray on a few windy days. Not that I wanted to, but some of these chemicals have to be put on in a rather small window of opportunity. You might mention it to them, and ask them to try to watch it closer next year. I sprayed a field years back, and the 2-4D fumes played hell with a neighbor's garden. She said something, but not to worry about it. I bought her a big bag of beans and an armload of squash, and she was happy. Just be cool about it.....

Mike M · Jun 22, 2016

Tell them not to expect any of your garden goodies this year as the overspray killed it all. I am assuming you give them some as most everyone with a garden has extra and seems willing to share with relatives or friends or sell cheap.

Ultradog MN · Jun 22, 2016

Don't let Larry at the corner read this. He'll have a fit about losing those squash. He will even secretly believe I killed them even though I don't live nearby.

CenTex Farmall · Jun 22, 2016

They need to be aware of what's happening. The next spray drift incident could affect someone not so forgiving.

In this state spray drift is a big deal and the applicator can lose their license.

In any case it sounds like they need better training or attention to detail.

gtractorfan · Jun 22, 2016

I know it's getting late in the season but is there a chance you could replant sweet corn for instance such as using an early hybrid?

Super-H-Mike · Jun 22, 2016

It might be possible, but truth is I have moved on to other jobs now and don't have the time or want to anymore for this year...

ditchwitch · Jun 22, 2016

I would say something to them personally. I wouldn't be hateful about it but i would let them know what happen. Just ask them to be little more careful next time. Because if you don't say something they will never know it happened.

Bill VA · Jun 22, 2016

You should probably have a conversation - at least. We have similar situation on our place between me and my brother. He is planting some fruit trees and planted some right next to my hayfields. A couple of them got a tinge of round-up when I sprayed my fields last fall. Didn't hurt them, but could have. This year, me and my boys covered the trees. A lot of labor - gigantic pain in the arse - especially if you are working in limited daylight/hours after work. In what I believe to be a compromise - going forward, he is going to plant his trees in a different section of the farm and in those areas, I won't make hay. As for the present location of the trees next to my fields, he has said not to cover them going forward. It is a sensitive issue. In a lot of ways, by carving out our own work/ag/hobby areas - yet not dividing the farm, it is (knock on wood) working out very well.

Perhaps you can put your stuff in one area to the exclusion of their stuff and vice versa. Seems to be working for us.

Good luck,
Bill

oldtanker · Jun 22, 2016

(quoted from post at 08:01:33 06/22/16) You really think slobs like that are going to care?If left up to them they'll just keep on doing it.That's like the cops telling a bank that's been robbed that if the robbers
feel responsible its up to them to do something about it.What a joke.If it were my field they sprayed I'd bet the farm they wouldn't do it again.

Hey the OP stated that 1: it's his cousin and 2: he doesn't want to start a family feud. Even if it's on no relations often it's best to just talk first. No need to make anymore enemies than you have to. Now if they just blew you off or got nasty about it then it's time to rumble. Yea we have a couple of BTO's here who would do something like that and basically tell you that you don't matter but most of the guys around here would be more careful in the future.

For what it's worth I don't much care for all the chemicals being used today but I'm not going to be able to stop people from using them by being a jerk. Do I like all the farming practices I see today? NO! But people are going to farm how they see fit and the only thing that's going to change that is if something is specifically banned.

Rick

GordoSD · Jun 22, 2016

In that case I would invite him over to view the damage. Base your actions after seeing his.respone.

ss55 · Jun 22, 2016

Your cousins and the sprayer operator (local co-op employee?) probably had no idea the garden and hay field were there and they had no intention of causing you any problems. However, if you don't tell them the garden and hay are there it is very likely the same thing will repeat next year too.

I would tell your cousins about your garden and hay field and ask for their help so that it does not get damaged next year. If you can stay courteous, understanding and respectful when trying to work out a problem, most people will remember that and they will return the favor.

Dumb question: If a local co-op did the spraying, is it worth telling them about the problem and letting them know the garden and hay field will be there next year too?

mj · Jun 22, 2016

[b:f76f988cdb]oldtanker[/b:f76f988cdb] nailed it! 8)

RustyS · Jun 22, 2016

They need to know. I would charge them a beer and call them a bonehead if it were any of my cousins. My cousins would be fine with that though and probably bring a twelve pack. As long as they know they have the opportunity to adjust their practices. A quick phone call might get you a free beer

JOCCO · Jun 22, 2016

Do you own the land or do they?? If it's their's move on. If it's yours I would call the head one and be strait up. Have him look at it. Ask him what he is going to do about it. Or if you need to have the state pesticide agency look at it. Lastly, take a large mist sprayer and spray a few 100 ft of his crop!!!! Like the guy did with the ones that planted acres on his land!!!

Super-H-Mike · Jun 22, 2016

It is my land that was drifted, and theirs that was sprayed.

oldtanker · Jun 23, 2016

(quoted from post at 13:26:22 06/22/16) Your cousins and the sprayer operator (local co-op employee?) probably had no idea the garden and hay field were there and they had no intention of causing you any problems. However, if you don't tell them the garden and hay are there it is very likely the same thing will repeat next year too.

I would tell your cousins about your garden and hay field and ask for their help so that it does not get damaged next year. If you can stay courteous, understanding and respectful when trying to work out a problem, most people will remember that and they will return the favor.

Dumb question: If a local co-op did the spraying, is it worth telling them about the problem and letting them know the garden and hay field will be there next year too?

That's not completely true everywhere. The one near me will be very careful if the farmer tells them what has to be done and what to avoid spry damaging. That depends on the COOP.

Rick

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