Measuring wind speed and direction is important for avoiding high winds, which can cause drift and poor coverage when applying pesticides. Spray drift is the movement of pesticides away from the targeted area being sprayed. The drift from pesticide applications can expose people, wildlife and the environment to chemicals that can cause health problems for farm workers, children playing outside and wildlife and its habitat. Environmental problems can result in property damage to another farmer's crops or to a home garden, causing plant damage.

Excessive drift can be costly due to pest damage from poorly covered targeted crops or from legal action resulting from contamination of non-target food crops, livestock, wildlife, surface water, vehicles and other private property. Because of this, wind speeds should always be noted on pesticide application records.

One of the best ways to help prevent spray drift and poor coverage, is to monitor wind conditions. Wind speed indicators (sometimes called "anemometers"), come in either hand held or stationary models. Stationary wind meters usually record more elaborate weather information, but from a specific area only. Hand held models provide less detailed information than stationary wind meters, but they are portable and can be used to cover a wider area.

• Click here for additional information on how to avoid spray drift.
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Low Cost Wind Meter
Mechanical Unit
This mechanical wind meter is ideal for small growers to get a quick estimate of current wind speeds on location. A white floating ball indicates the wind speed on the high and low scales on the meter. The high scale gives an estimate of greater wind speeds while the low scale gives a much more accurate reading. The meter can be somewhat cumbersome to use; there are holes on the back which need to be exposed in order to take a reading. No lighted display; scales are best viewed during daylight hours. No batteries needed. Not weather resistant, floating ball can stick if the unit becomes wet, giving false readings. However, this unit is economical for those who monitor less frequently.

SKYMATE™
Electronic Unit
Very user friendly, high quality wind meter for instant readings and averages of wind speeds and temperature. Single push button mode selection makes this unit easier to use than the Kestrel models. Maximum wind speed is recorded and average readings can be based on intervals of 5, 10 or 13 seconds. Wind speed and temperature are displayed at the same time, which helps determine if conditions are appropriate for spraying. Some pesticides require application during particular temperature ranges. Best used during daylight hours, since display is not illuminated. Includes case and lanyard. Pocket-knife case doubles as a handle and it's bright yellow color is easy to find if dropped in a field. Replaceable impeller available. Includes a CR2032 Lithium battery. Weather resistant.

Kestrel 1000
Electronic Unit
This electronic wind speed meter is easy to use and very accurate and reliable for instant readings of wind speed. When compared to other similar models, the Kestrel is a well known and trusted brand in digital wind speed equipment. Maximum wind speed and average is based on 3 second intervals. Best used during daylight hours since display is not illuminated. Includes case and lanyard. Replaceable impeller available. Includes a CR2032 Lithium battery. Weather resistant, waterproof and will float if dropped in water.

Kestrel 2000
Electronic Unit
This electronic wind speed meter has the same quality and reliability as the Kestrel 1000 with the added functions of temperature and wind chill. Some pesticides require application during particular temperature ranges. Maximum wind speed and average is based on 3 second intervals. Best used during daylight hours, since display is not illuminated. Includes case and lanyard. Replaceable impeller available. Includes a CR2032 Lithium battery. Weather resistant, waterproof and will float if dropped in water.

Kestrel 3000
Electronic Unit
This electronic wind speed meter has the same quality and reliability as the other Kestrel meters with advanced features you would normally find in a stationary unit. Extremely easy to use and very accurate. Measures wind speed, temperature, wind chill, relative humidity, heat stress index and dew point. It's important to monitor temperature, humidity and dewpoint to make sure the foliage won't "burn" if you are spraying when it is hot and humid. Depending on the chemical, it is possible to damage the plants if it is dry because the plant will readily absorb the chemical. Maximum wind speed and average is based on 3 second intervals. Best used during daylight hours since display is not illuminated. Includes case and lanyard. Replaceable impeller available. Requires a CR2032 Lithium battery. Weather resistant, weather proof and will float if dropped in water.

Kestrel 4000
The most advanced Kestrel
This new Kestrel® is the next generation of hand-held weather monitoring. You can now measure every major environmental condition, easily and accurately, right in the palm of your hand. The chart mode allows users to recall and graph measurements. Barometric pressure, altitude, density altitude, temperature, humidity, wind speed, wind chill, dew point, wet bulb, and heat index... all-in-one pocket-sized instrument. Graph and recall trends all on an easy to read, backlit display that can be customized to display user-selected measurements. The Kestrel® 4000 automatically stores up to 250 measurements including the date and time, even when the unit is turned off and can manually store measurements with the push of a button. Unit has exterior temperature, humidity, and pressure sensors for fast and accurate readings. The hard cover allows use of other functions while protecting the replaceable replacement impeller. Includes neck and wrist lanyards, protective pouch and 2 "AAA" batteries. Waterproof and floats. Weighs 3.6 ox. Assembled in the USA.

Davis Weather Stations
Click here for a description of the various Davis Weather Station models

A stationary weather station can record wind speeds, direction and time throughout the day, providing a valuable history to document conditions at your location for drift or crop insurance purposes. Weather stations do what the handheld units do, only more. You can customize the unit to monitor the items you need. The downside is that it is located in one site, so it only gives you readings for that area only. They are useful in determining when to spray, insect emergence times, danger of frost damage, cultivation, planting, harvesting or irrigation scheduling, disease prediction, prediction of storm fronts and germination timing. With the optional software available, a weather station is ideal for any type of weather monitoring where measurements over a period of time are needed to give a history of a particular location.

• Click here for additional information on how to avoid spray drift.
• Click here for additional weather information.

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