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Mar. 9, 2026 Source: National Agricultural Aviation Association ALEXANDRIA, VA - Bayer Crop Science (Bayer) has joined the efforts to modernize AGDISP (Agricultural DISpersion), the pesticide spray drift model developed by the U.S. Forest Service in the 1980s. AGDISP is used by EPA and other global regulators and stakeholders to evaluate a variety of potential spray drift conditions and off-site deposition from liquid pesticide applications to determine application method and application parameters on a pesticide's label. The modernization will seek to update AGDISP with current computing technologies and enable incorporating current and emerging environmental stewardship technologies and precision agriculture practices into the EPA's pesticide registration regulatory process. A modernized AGDISP can better account for site and environment-specific conditions, support drift-reduction techniques, and enable scenario-specific evaluations -- allowing regulators to estimate potential spray drift more accurately in ecological and human-health risk assessments. It will also enable recognition of the drift reduction benefits of new application technologies, which could help to drive towards label requirements optimized for real-field applications. This would, in turn, reward farmers who adopt the advanced tools and site-specific application information necessary for the optimization of pesticide use, environmental and human protection, and food production. The updated model will remain publicly available and open source. The modernization effort is being carried out by the AGDISP Modernization Project (AMP), whose goal is to update and improve AGDISP. The AMP Stakeholder Committee includes grower groups, university scientists, application technology experts, representatives from multiple federal agencies, and pesticide manufacturers. AMP was established three years ago to rewrite the coding of the AGDISP model using a modern, well-supported computer language. AMP, established by the National Agricultural Aviation Association (NAAA), is investing $600,000 over five years to modernize AGDISP. The funding raised to date-- $520,000-- includes a $50,000 donation from Bayer, a $30,000 donation from the National Corn Growers Association, a $35,000 donation from the Cotton Foundation, a five-year, $250,000 grant from the Centers for Disease Control via the American Mosquito Control Association, $100,000 from the National Agricultural Aviation Association and $55,000 from the National Agricultural Aviation Research and Education Foundation. AMP is essential for all growers and pesticide applicators. AMP is incredibly grateful to Bayer for its donation. It is NAAA's hope that other pesticide industry organizations, grower groups, and engaged stakeholders will also join in supporting the project. A modernized AGDISP will help to ensure all pesticide application methods can continue to be used to protect crops grown in the U.S. For more information on the AGDISP Modernization Project and contributing towards its completion, visit here. About NAAA The National Agricultural Aviation Association (NAAA) represents the interests of the small businesses in the U.S., whose owners and pilots are licensed as professional commercial aerial applicators that use aircraft to enhance food, fiber, and biofuel production, protect forestry and control health-threatening pests. For more information, please visit AgAviation.org. >b>About Bayer Bayer is a global enterprise with core competencies in the life science fields of health care and nutrition. In line with its mission, "Health for all, Hunger for none," the company's products and services are designed to help people and the planet thrive by supporting efforts to master the major challenges presented by a growing and aging global population. Bayer is committed to driving sustainable development and generating a positive impact with its businesses. At the same time, the Group aims to increase its earning power and create value through innovation and growth. The Bayer brand stands for trust, reliability and quality throughout the world. In fiscal 2024, the Group employed around 93,000 people and had sales of 46.6 billion euros. R&D expenses amounted to 6.2 billion euros. For more information, go to www.bayer.com. Bayer and Bayer Cross are registered trademarks of Bayer Group. ©2026 Bayer Group. All rights reserved. Tweet |
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