Round UP Fears

[CincyFlyer]

I use diluted glyphosate with no extra ingredients, and then only when I need it. I will spot kill poison ivy/oak/sumac, and clear small areas that are going to become lawn or garden. I don't do it when bee activity is at peak (I know a few beekeepers who admonished me). I was killing honeysuckle with it, now I use a tree-puller and yank 'em.

 

[ericm979]

I use herbicides as a last resort. I reached that point this year with our massive poison oak infestation. It's bad everywhere up here this year, not just my property.

I've been using Triclopyr (Garlon 4) on poison oak this year, based on recommendations from UC Davis Ag. It's broadleaf specific not broad spectum like Roundup. Reading the docs it's somewhat less toxic than Roundup. And when applied properly it's a lot more effective on poison oak than Roundup. Even better- a 20% solution in diesel, applied to a short section of stem, is especially effective and ends up using much less herbicide than foliar spray. It also works well in PO whose leaves are too high up to reach. However Triclopyr is only effective when the PO is growing and growing season's over now.

I follow Jeff's safety protocol when spraying.

I wonder if Glyphosphate from other sources has fewer toxic additions than Roundup?

 

[mcfarmall]

I don't plan on taking a bath it it, so for me I say "Better living through chemistry."

 

[CincyFlyer]

Note that I (and many others) call glyphosate "RoundUp". But there are several different formulations of RoundUp, most of which contain other chemicals. It's unlikely that you won't eat something from a field that's been sprayed with glyphosate in a given week! I've read quite a bit about it, and I'm not particularly worried about it. Still, there is a limit to how much of anything I'll spray about. Except, of course, my opinion!

 

[Utopia Texas]

How many follow prudent application suggestions?

Long sleeve shirt. Long pants. Gloves. Hat. Safety glasses.

Wash all clothes at days end. Do not wear a second day.

No smoking while spraying. No eating while spraying.

Bathe ASAP after spraying.

Prudent application is not the problem.
It has been found in water sources, human food crops and animals and I believe it will eventually be found to be a major source of human maladies/diseases. The original studies done on RoundUp were sponsored and paid for by Monsanto and accepted by the government at face value. The public has no idea how many millions of gallons of concentrate are used every year. I have been a commercial grower/farmer for 45 years and believe it will be outlawed eventually which will be too late for millions of folks with cancer or altered genetics. The human body has not evolved to absorb the chemicals we have created in the past 100+ years and we are seeing the results. In my career I have grown rice and cattle in Brazil, wine grapes in Argentine, capers and olives in Spain and Morocco and poinsettias in Lebanon. I have used RoundUp since it first came out in order to compete on the open market and keep my company viable but I do not like the chemical. I do not believe it is safe as Monsanto claims.

 

[roadhunter]

Monsanto would never do anything to hurt you.

LOL. I think people are slowly seeing the ugly side of big AG.

 

[CincyFlyer]

LOL. I think people are slowly seeing the ugly side of big AG.

Of course, the good side is the fact that world is being fed. I'm not paranoid; there's not been a huge increase in cancers or genetic defects.

 

[RandyT]

My thoughts are that it's a carcinogen. Use at your own risk.

California now list it as a prop 65 item, Known to the state of California to cause cancer. Glyphosate has also been found in vaccines..

 

[CincyFlyer]

California now list it as a prop 65 item, Known to the state of California to cause cancer. Glyphosate has also been found in vaccines..

California lists "freedom" as likely to cause cancer.

 

[ultrarunner]

I use herbicides as a last resort. I reached that point this year with our massive poison oak infestation. It's bad everywhere up here this year, not just my property.

I've been using Triclopyr (Garlon 4) on poison oak this year, based on recommendations from UC Davis Ag. It's broadleaf specific not broad spectum like Roundup. Reading the docs it's somewhat less toxic than Roundup. And when applied properly it's a lot more effective on poison oak than Roundup. Even better- a 20% solution in diesel, applied to a short section of stem, is especially effective and ends up using much less herbicide than foliar spray. It also works well in PO whose leaves are too high up to reach. However Triclopyr is only effective when the PO is growing and growing season's over now.

I follow Jeff's safety protocol when spraying.

I wonder if Glyphosphate from other sources has fewer toxic additions than Roundup?

Never seen growth like this year... bountiful doesn't describe it...