Jar Test
The article "Spraying New Chemical? Do Jar Test First" appeared on www.farmprogress.com on January 2, 2025. This article is old news to GMS customers; however, it is still very pertinent for today's agriculture.
Growers Mineral, Corp. has made it very clear that mixing of any other material with GMS other than uncontaminated water during application voids our warranty; however, we realize that producers still mix various compounds when applying materials in an attempt to control lime and labor. So, because of this business approach, Growers Mineral, Corp. has always suggested to producers they mix the various compounds proportionately and examine the mixture.
The Farm Progress article makes several points that are very important for the producer.
1. "If you are mixing several things or mixing herbicides (any compounds) and other carriers, performing a jar test first should be standard practice today. It allows you to see how products will mix with each other on a very small scale instead of finding out when you put them into a whole tank of spray.
2. "A jar test simulates what occurs in a tank-mixture and will provide evidence of physical incompatibilities such as separation, settling, inversions, and oil residues buildup.
3. "Even if you're making the 'same' tank mix you've always prepared, you should still conduct a jar test to help identify potential compatibility issues that may occur with even slightly different inert ingredients...even slight adjustments could affect compatibility of a product with others in the tank mix. If you change water sources and the pH or hardness is different, that could also affect the mixture."
This is an excerpt from the Summer Growers Solution (2026) written by Jim Halbeisen, Director of Research.
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