Rack Petroleum Ltd. Box 837

Biggar, Saskatchewan S0K 0M0

Phone: 1-866-721-1800 Fax: 306-948-5091

E-mail: therack@sasktel.net

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Rack Petroleum- “Talented Training”

Dion Fowler is agronomist in training, he hails to us from Cen-tral Butte, Saskatchewan. Dion grew up on a seed cleaning/seed farm and took a interest to agri-culture at a young age. He com-pleted his Bachelor of Science in Agriculture at the University of Saskatchewan in April of 2009. Dion is currently located in Biggar where he spends his time working with fellow agronomists and apply-

ing his knowledge of agriculture.

Shannon Friesen is originally from Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. She grew up in the city and took a strong in-terest in biology during her high school years. With her love for biology and plants and desire to stay in Sk, Shannon decided agriculture was the path for her. She obtained her Bachelor of Science in Agricul-ture in April of 2008 from the Uni-versity of Saskatchewan. She is cur-rently working out of the Biggar location as a agronomist. She looks forward to any challenges the local

farmers can bring .

Mike Ritz was born and raised on a farm near by Rosetown, Saskatchewan. He quickly gained interest in agriculture as a youngster helping his dad with various tasks on the farm. He obtained his Bache-lors of Science in Agriculture from the University of Saskatchewan in the Spring of 2009. Mike currently works out of the Rosetown location as a assistant manager and agronomist in training. He enjoys working with the people of his community

and being a part of Agriculture in Canada.

DuPont PrecisionPac Herbicide Blends

available at The Rack!

The DuPont PrecisionPac deliv-ery system is now available at The Rack. This system offers exact amounts of the herbicides you desire all in one container. Out of nine different blends (Express SG, Express Pro, DB 858, DB 8454, DB 10550, Refine SG, PP 2525, PP 23235) you can purchase the one best suited for each area to be sprayed. The herbicides offer a wide spectrum of broadleaf control, while allow-ing customers to select different ingredients and ratios to target specific weed species.

(Found only at the Biggar location)

Spring 2009

Volume 1, Issue 2

Rack Petroleum Ltd.

Inside this issue:

Finding the optimal spray particle size

2

What’s New………...Drift Retardant and Depo-sition Improver avail-able at “the Rack”

2

Are there differences in glyphosates?

3

Is your chemical Effec-tiveness Being Re-duced by your Water Quality?

3

Rack Petroleum- “Talented Training”

4

Its Twins! Addition to the Rack Family

Rack’s commitment to premium service just got stronger with the addition of two new John Deere 4930 sprayers to its fleet of custom application

equipment.

“These new sprayers demonstrate our commitment

to premium service and quality ”

We have continually seen our business of custom spraying grow these last few years states Bulani. Even our larger customers who own their own high

rises hire us to help out when they get behind.

Customers know they can pick up the phone and call us to help solve timing problems. They know they can call us and we will get the job done for

them in a professional and timely manner.

Premium service means you need premium equip-ment so that is why we run the new Deeres. We run Deeres for the same reasons customers rely on us , service! These sprayers have all the bells and whistles to provide our operators with comfort and accuracy through computerized GPS on/off as well

as guidance and auto steering.

40%

53%

Growing Degree Growing Degree Growing Degree Growing Degree DaysDaysDaysDays

May 1May 1May 1May 1----21212121

2009– 50

2008– 93

2007– 122

2006– 127

Ultimate Yield Proves Successful in Trial Run

This spring Rack undertook a trial run of the Ultimate Yield ™ Program with a local grower, Jeff Hoogeveen of Biggar. This program incorporates both crop and soil husbandry into one convenient agronomic pack-age. The key element to the Ultimate Yield program is the variable rating of fertilizer during seeding. This process is an in-depth look into the relationships between topography, nutrient levels, and vegetation

patterns within the field.

To prepare for this trial, Rack CEO Dennis Bulani and Biggar agronomist Shannon Friesen analyzed aerial and NDVI (Normalized Differential Vegetation Index) images of the field that was selected to be the bench-mark for Hoogeveen’s entire farm. This benchmark field ensures the rest of the farm can be accurately analyzed based on satellite images, grids, and zone soil testing. After a suitable 80 acre area of the field was selected based on topography, grid soil sampling was done at one sample per 2 acres and georeferenced for future analysis. Zone soil sampling was also done

throughout the field, with 3 different areas

being chosen, based on the vegetation zones pro-duced by the NDVI satellite image and through grower feedback. Bulani and Friesen then created a fertilizer regime to maximize the efficiency of each of these areas using specific target yields for each zone. These fertilizer rates were then programmed onto a John Deere data card using a computer program known as SGIS (Soil Ground Information Systems). Once placed in the GS2 controller, Hoogeveen was then able to see the programmed application map and have the program variable rate the fertilizer when it

was in each of the 3 zones as he seeded.

Throughout the growing season Friesen will be scout-ing Hoogeveen’s fields to ensure maximum success of the program. Future intentions of Ultimate Yield ™ include variable rating seed varieties in order to maxi-mize efficiency in different zones and to variable rate water levels of Reglone in pulses, a desiccant com-

monly used in the fall before harvest.

Shannon Friesen, BSA

Page 2

Finding the Optimal Spray Particle Size

Spraying chemicals effectively requires a specific balance of droplet size, wind, tem-perature, and humidity. When spraying, the one factor that can be controlled by the operator is the size of the droplet. Spray particles are measured in microns (µm) which translates to 1/25000 of an inch. To put this in more relative terms, a tooth brush bristle is 300 µm’s in diameter. Spray particles must be small enough to achieve satisfactory coverage and effective pest control, yet large enough to avoid the risk of drift. Spray particles under 50 µm’s in diameter remain suspended in the air in-definitely or until they evaporate. They should be avoided because there is no way to control deposition of these small drop-lets. For instance, there is no reason to use small droplets when applying soil incor-

porated, or systemic herbicides.

The size of the droplet needed is depend-ant on the type of liquid being dispersed. Insecticides, fungicides, contact herbicides, translocated herbicides and soil applied herbicides all require a different droplet

size for maximum effectiveness.

Insecticides and fungicides– small droplets are desirable because they provide better penetration of the canopy and thus better coverage. Good coverage is essential with insecticides and fungicides because of the

small target organisms. (119-126 µm’s)

Contact Herbicides– This form of herbicides are not moved quickly and easily through the plant and therefore need to be applied thoroughly and in smaller droplet sizes for good coverage. Examples include (Buctril

M, Liberty) (217-353 µm’s)

Translocated Herbicides– This type of herbi-cide is moved readily through the plant as it is a systemic product. Larger droplets can therefore be used and remain effec-tive. Examples include (Roundup, and 2,

4-D) (354-464 µm’s)

Soil applied Herbicides- Course droplets may be used with liquids to ensure soil penetration. However granular soil ap-

plied herbicides are more common.

(>464 µm’s)

Research shows there is a rapid decrease in the drift potential of droplets greater than about 150 or 200 microns. Wind speeds of 1-9 mph; with droplet sizes of 150-200 µm’s are insignificant for drift risk. Due to their light weight, small droplets can travel long distances. See below table 1.1 as the distances water droplets are carried while falling 10 feet in

air with a 3 miles per hour wind.

The three main ways to control your droplet size is pressure, nozzle type, or a drift preventative adjuvant. Come talk to our agronomists today about methods to help you find your optimal spray particle size, so you get the highest efficiency out

of your spraying.

What’s New…………….Drift Retardant and Deposition Improver available at “the Rack”

Valid is a non-ionic drift control substance containing suspended antifoaming agents. Valid is de-signed to enhance deposition, control droplet size and de-foamer of spray solutions. Valid will reduce drift and foam when solutions are applied in agricul-ture, Valid is an excellent choice when using products that are known to foam such as gly-phosate and when the possibility of drift and deposition be-

comes an issue.

Contains Shear Guard Technol-ogy: Drift reduction capability stands up to destructive effects of agitation pumps and addition

of this chemistry will not :

• pinch down spray nozzle

fan patterns

• Provides excellent deposi-tion and increased droplet

adhesion

• Most effective drift reduc-

tion available

• Contains antifoaming /

defoaming system

• Liquid formulation is user

friendly

• Low use rates make the

product cost effective

• Compatible in all sprays

VALID is a registered trademark

of Loveland Products, Inc.

Increase the amount of product hitting your plants and reduce drift and foam all at once ! Rack custom application division uses Valid in all Application ! Premium application Premium targeting !

1.1

Valid costs as Valid costs as Valid costs as Valid costs as low as 30 low as 30 low as 30 low as 30 cents/acre, de-cents/acre, de-cents/acre, de-cents/acre, de-pending on pending on pending on pending on

water volumewater volumewater volumewater volume

Page 3 Volume 1, Issue 2

Are there differences in Glyphosates???

How do you like this answer...Yes and No! If we are talking the active ingredient that kills the plant, then the answer is No. If we are talking about the salt , acid content, surfactant, size of container, and cost, then Yes. So how do you choose the right one for your farm? It’s a little bit like picking a tractor. Really a tractor is just a engine with a transmission, 4 tires, and a steering wheel (the active ingredient). How many hours have you spent discussing the other attrib-utes ( salt, acid content, size of container, and cost) of a tractor with your neighbour? It’s the attributes of the product that help us

choose why we use a certain brand.

Lets first discuss the salts. Salt is the compo-nent added to glyphosates to allow the sub-stance to dissolve in water. There are vari-ous types: IPA (Isopropylamine), MA (Monoammonium), DA (Diammonium), DMA (Dimethylamine) and K+(Potassium). IPA salt is the original salt type used, and is still used today mostly by generic producers of glyphosate. MA is found in the dry formu-lation which we don't see in Canada any-more. K+ and DMA are the salts now used in the main brands of glyphosate. Manufac-turers have switched from IPA to K+ and DMA as it allows for a more concentrated

product to be made.

The K+ and DMA salts allow a increase of acid to be used. Where with the IPA only 356g/L could be made and now with the K+ and DMA salts a 540g/L can be made. It is much more convenient to have a more con-centrated product as there is less handling of jugs and a higher acre/jug ratio. Back to the tractor comparison were talking engines, what's better a Cat vs. a Cummins vs. a De-troit vs. a John Deere, vs. a Kubota, some would say an engine is a engine and they all

burn too much diesel.

The major difference in attributes comes in the surfactants that are added to a jug of glyphosate. The surfactants allow the gly-phosate to be absorbed into the green por-tion of the plants. Over the last several years we have seen new glyphosate hit the market and using a new surfactant. These new surfactants allow the plants to absorb the glyphosate faster, and in greater quanti-ties. This reduces rain fastness and applica-tion under more sever weather and growing conditions. With the improvements in sur-factants, the glyphosates now a days have a higher efficiency. These new surfactants are only found in branded products on the mar-ket. Another key attribute is the service

that goes along with the products.

With branded products that The Rack sells customers can feel confident they will receive not only the product but also the important advice along with it to ensure the best results. In our customer application business we only use branded glyphosate products to ensure the customer receives the best product at the greatest value. We do offer two products, from reputable manufactures that contain the latest surfactant technology, however they do

not come with service.

So, is there a difference in glyphosates? As you can see there are different variables in the products on the market. At The Rack we be-lieve we have access to the best brands avail-able at the price you want to pay and give you the value you demand. So back to the com-parison with tractors, that’s why we have green ones, red ones, blue ones, and white ones. Each of the products have different attributes and you purchase the one that best fits the

weed control needs on your farm.

May you harvest the best crop!

Jim Vancha, P Ag

Is Your Chemical Effectiveness Being Reduced by Your Water Quality?

In todays production system, farmers are spraying a large percentage of their land for pre seeding weed control. Glyphosate is a very popular product when doing pre seeding applications. Glyphosate can be sprayed alone or in combinations with other chemi-cals whether it is pre packaged or tank mixed. In the quest for optimal weed control one factor that can be

overlooked is water quality.

Hard water, or water containing minerals such as Calcium (Ca), Magnesium (Mg), and Iron (Fe) will reduce glyphosate effectiveness, Dirty water with high organic matter or solids suspended in the water can greatly reduce weed control. When your water hardness is greater then 40 grains (700 ppm) another water source should be considered. You can find another water source or treat your existing water source. Addition of liquid Ammonium Sulphate fertil-izer (21-0-0-24) will help lower water hardness as well. This mixture is registered with some glyphosate

products such as.

A product called Choice can also be used to reduce

the negative effects of water hardness.

Water quality should also be assessed when applying some group 1 herbicides, desiccants (group 22), diquat, paraquat, and 2, 4-D amines as well as some other

chemicals.

Dion Fowler, BSA

Do you know how Do you know how Do you know how Do you know how many grains are in many grains are in many grains are in many grains are in your water? Rack your water? Rack your water? Rack your water? Rack could help you improve could help you improve could help you improve could help you improve the effectiveness of the effectiveness of the effectiveness of the effectiveness of

your spraying today!your spraying today!your spraying today!your spraying today!