QUESTION: Do I lose all the benefit of my crop protection sprays if it rains right after I have made an application?

QUESTION: How do I make certain that my spray tank is clean from my previous application. I don't want my next spray to carry any unwanted residue forward to my next spray?

QUESTION: I have heard some things about Biological Stimulator products which are used at very low rates. How can these products be effective when they are used at just ounces per acre instead of quarts or gallons?

QUESTION: I know that my potatoes and sugar beets need to add bulk mid-to-late season. What nutrient can provide that benefit to my crops?

QUESTION: I need an all-purpose foliar fertilizer to supplement my regular fertilizer program but I am concerned about safety. What do I need to be aware of?

QUESTION: I want to be a good neighbor in my farming operation. When I spray certain chemicals, particularly defoliants and desiccants, the bad odor bothers some of my neighbors. Is there anything I can do about this?

QUESTION: I'm concerned that I'm contaminating my soil and losing valuable spray materials when my spray tank foams over onto the ground during filling. Any suggestions?

QUESTION: I'm confused about spreaders. Why does the price vary so much for products that look a lot alike?

QUESTION: I'm worried about my crop sprays drifting onto my neighbor's crop and causing some damage. Is there anything I can do to reduce the chance this could happen?

QUESTION: I've had trouble mixing some of my pesticides with liquid fertilizers. Do you know why I am having this problem in my spray tank?

QUESTION: I've heard a lot about phosphite fertilizers. What are they and when should they be used?

QUESTION: I've heard about spray-on frost protectants. What type of crops are they designed for and what could I expect if I used one?

QUESTION: My post emergent herbicide label calls for the addition of nitrogen to my tank mix. What type of a pre-mixed product could I use?

QUESTION: To keep my application costs to a minimum, I would like to buffer my tank mix and also add a foliar nutrient. Can I combine these two types of ingredients?

QUESTION: Under certain conditions, I have difficulty seeing my spray path where I have applied pesticides or fertilizers. How can I avoid costly overlaps or gaps in my spray patterns?

QUESTION: Why does my pesticide spray seem to lose some of its effectiveness after sitting several hours in my spray tank?

ANSWER: Many pesticides will break down and lose effectiveness in a matter of hours when they are mixed with water which is even slightly alkaline. That process is called alkaline hydrolysis. Most water in the U.S. is too alkaline for many of the pesticides currently in use. That's why the manufacturers recommend using a buffering product to lower the pH of the water and preserve the strength of the pesticide. CAF uses phosphoric acid to achieve the buffering properties in these products. Only phosphoric acid will give reliable, stable buffering. CAF makes several products which will help your problem, some which contain buffering agents only and some which are a combination of buffers and spreaders:

CAF Buffering Products
NEW CENTURY BUFFER ...when buffering alone is desired
NEW CENTURY BUFFER X-TRA ...40% active for buffering and spreading
STEADFAST ...80% active premium product which gives both buffering and spreading benefits. Will increase absorption and help translocate pesticides through the plants.