Recommendations

1. Recommendations As stated earlier, excess levels of Atrazine have been linked to a variety of health and medical conditions. Though with proper use the needs both the producers as well of local ecosystems can be met.

2. Proper Application • Atrazine is water soluble, making it very susceptible to rinsed off during periods of increased rainfall. • Knowing this, a producer should avoid application in the months of April and May, when precipitation is higher • Application should be planned around projected rainfall

3. Proper Application • Follow the application rates carefully, any excess amount of Atrazineapplied to the crop not only increases the risk of runoff, but costs producers money • Consider how much your field needs, given the amount of weed cover, don't use too much • Incorporate light tilliage after application, lightly running harrows over recently sprayed land works Atrazine into the soil, reducing the amount availble for runoff

4. Observe Buffer Zones • Certain buffer zones should be observed when mixing and applying Atrazine. These include: • Not mixing product 50 feet from wells and not spraying 50 around sinkholes • Staying 50 feet from rivers when mixing and • Implementing a 66 vegetative buffer zone along rivers and streams • Do not apply within 200 feet of any lake or reservoir

5. Consider Alternatives • A variety of alternatives are available that provide the same returns as Atrazine, while reducing the environmental impact • If a different product is not feasible to use on its own, use it as part of a blend with Atrazine