Modern production agriculture relies heavily on machinery, large and small, to raise crops. These machines are capable of transporting unwanted pests from one field to another. For example, combines are one of the largest and most impressive machines on a farm. These large machines effectively remove crops from fields, separating grain from other plant material to be spread back on the field. Following the harvest of an individual field, as much as 150 pounds of biomaterial, including chaff, grain, and weed, seed still remain on and within the machine. Other vehicles, such as All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs), are much smaller and more versatile on the farm; however, they are still capable of inadvertently transporting unwanted biomaterial from one field to another. Often used for scouting purposes, these vehicles make numerous visits to multiple fields over the course of a growing season, increasing the probability of accidental transport of plants, weed seed, and soil. Material may attach itself to the undercarriage of the vehicle, steering components, tires, and parts of the frame. Weeds and debris often remain lodged in tight spaces underneath and on the frame of the vehicle.
This program provides information on equipment sanitation in multiple media formats to help engage learners. All components will include a video, fact sheet, PowerPoint® presentation, and an evaluation. The program will cover:
- Between-field combine clean-out
- End-of-season combine clean-out
- Planting/tillage equipment clean-up
- ATV clean-up
To access these materials, use the following link: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1ASl-OaDSbJavl4QNJcrcF0PqREYWfOO-QnmUT6jnwYk
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