From plant-eating pests, to clumping animal feed, to grain silo management and safety, the modern farmer faces a plethora of challenges that innovative agricultural spray oils can address.
One versatile spray oil ingredient is ideal for many of these problem-solving applications: natural gas-to-liquid (GTL) oils.
In this article, we explore the various uses of Shell GTL isoparaffins and how they compare with paraffinic spray oil for pest control, featuring Renoil PSO 70.
Suzanne Kingsbury, Director of Quality
Agricultural Applications of Shell GTL
Shell GTL oils are high purity, non-toxic, and quite versatile. Below are a few of their common uses in farming operations.
1. Carrier Oil for Pesticides
One of Shell GTL’s uses is in agricultural spray oils, specifically as a carrier oil for pesticides. It has numerous characteristics that make it excellent for this purpose.
Shell GTL’s low viscosity helps it spread evenly to coat crops efficiently. As a carrier oil for pesticides, it has economic and environmental benefits. When combined with Shell GTL, as much as 50 percent less pesticide is needed to achieve the same results.
It’s also non-toxic, making it safe for ag workers, and its low phytotoxicity means it won’t harm plants that are sensitive to chemical interactions.
2. Dedusting Grain Silos
Another problem Shell GTL can help farmers with is controlling grain dust. In addition to containing grain lost to fugitive dust and protecting workers from the health risks of inhalation, grain dust is very combustible. It can cause explosions, major damage, and even death.
As grain dust entrains with air in confined spaces like silos, it quickly becomes volatile enough to react to seemingly small sources of ignition, like an overheated bearing, the rub of an elevator belt, or even a dropped tool.
But even if grain dust wasn’t so dangerous, grain dust control has been required by law since OSHA’s Grain Handling Facilities Standard of 1987 and the U.S. Clean Air Act of 1990. Spraying minimal amounts of oils, like Shell GTL (or Renoil DCO – Dust Control Oil), can help farms stay in compliance.
3. Animal Feed
A third agricultural use is in animal feed. Shell GTL can help maintain the quality of food for livestock over time by preventing dustiness and clumping, which is a common problem when animal feed is steam sterilized.
It’s also important that these oils are non-toxic, so that they don’t harm the animals who eat food that has been sprayed with them. Shell GTL is also odorless and colorless, which keeps the animal feed from discoloring and appearing unhealthy or low-quality.
Shell GTL vs. Renoil PSO 70: Comparing Agricultural Spray Oils for Pest Control
Alternatively, some farming operations, such as organic farms, may need the somewhat different properties of a paraffinic spray oil for their specific application. Let’s compare and contrast Shell GTL isoparaffins with Renoil PSO 70 (paraffinic spray oil with a viscosity of 70 SUS).
Similarities: Low Viscosity, Non-Toxic, Low Phytotoxicity
Both products are ideal for agricultural applications:
- Like Shell GTL, Renoil PSO 70 has a low viscosity to maximize spread and coverage.
- Both are highly pure, non-toxic oils, making them safe for humans, plants, and animals.
- And like Shell GTL, Renoil PSO 70 has a low phytotoxicity, so it’s safe for crops.
Differences: Pesticide Carrier Oil vs. Horticultural (Suffocating) Oil
Despite their similarities, these oils work in different ways.
- Shell GTL works well as a carrier oil for a chemical pesticide. It has a clear and bright appearance that won’t cause discoloration, and its low volatility ensures it does not evaporate, allowing the properties of the active chemical to operate unimpeded.
- Renoil PSO 70, by contrast, is a horticultural (or “suffocating”) oil, which works by covering and smothering insect larvae or eggs. It also works as an effective antifungal treatment, helping plants resist harmful spore growth.
Environmental Impact
Both of these oils have unique ways that they affect, and protect, the environment. In addition to promoting a reduction of pesticidal content in ag sprays as a carrier oil, Shell GTL oils are readily biodegradable: they biodegrade 60% or more within 28 days.
Renoil PSO 70 is OMRI Listed®, approved for use in organic farming. As a highly pure horticultural (suffocating) oil, it is free from chemicals and pesticides. As an added benefit, it also helps protect leaves from “burning” in direct sunlight. This makes it a great option for organic farmers.
Agricultural Spray Oils from Renkert Oil
Renkert Oil is proud to offer a variety of specialty oil solutions for our customers in agriculture and food manufacturing. The versatility and low environmental impact of products like Shell GTL and Renoil PSO 70 make them ideal for a wide variety of applications.
Consider becoming a contract customer with us. With four decades of technical and logistics experience, we’ll make sure your products meet all your specifications as we provide you with priority service, keeping you supplied on time and on budget.
Reach out to us today to learn more about agricultural products and services from Renkert Oil.