By Morgan Watts

Rowan Livestock and Field Crops Agent

Anyone planning to apply the herbicide dicamba to Xtend cotton or soybeans or 2,4-D to Enlist cotton or soybeans must complete the mandatory training, Auxin Herbicides – Best Management Practices ,prior to use in 2020.

Rowan and Iredell counties will co-host a training date on Feb. 6, 3 p.m. at the Iredell County Extension Office, 444 Bristol Drive, Statesville.

Rowan County will have Respiratory Fit Testing on Feb. 20, from 9 a.m-noon at the Agricultural Center, Rowan County Extension Office, 2727 Old Concord Road.

Pesticide inspections by the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services will require documentation from anyone who mixes, handles or applies pesticides requiring a respirator on the product label and to have an annual medical clearance and respirator fit test regardless of whether the person is a licensed applicator. This means even employees, supervised workers and families who use these pesticides will need to maintain this documentation.

To register for the respirator fit test, call and make an appointment with the Rowan County Center, 704-216-8970.  Fill out the online Respirator Medical Evaluation Questionnaire by Feb. 17 if you plan to attend. You will be prompted to enter the username and password provided, which is case sensitive. https://app.vestmed.com/login/profittest/;  username, ProFitTest; password: Rowan1

Bring your respirator with you to your appointment, along with the $60 fee. Please make check payable to Professional Fit Testing Services. If you do not know what size respirator to get, PTFS will have respirators to help size you.

If you have any questions or need more information, please call the Rowan County Center at 704-216-8970.