AUSTRALIA’S cotton and grains industries are urging all farmers to take action to prevent off-target spray drift following significant damage across northern NSW and the threat of more to come.
The risk to cotton from Group I herbicides, such as 2,4-D, is heightened with rainfall on the way.
Cotton Australia regional manager Paul Sloman said damage to cotton has been reported across the state’s north this season.
“Expected rainfall brings with it the added risk of off-target spray drift from crop and fallow spraying, especially following the record grain harvest,” Mr Sloman says.
“There is a significant amount of cotton in the ground and this season’s crop has been planted in some areas where it hasn’t been grown before, or at least not for a few seasons.”
“It is critical for all spray applicators to exercise caution when undertaking crop protection activities and check CottonMap online before spraying.
Given the weather conditions in the area, we also remind people to look out for surface temperature inversions that may cause spray drift, particularly from sunset to after sunrise.
“Growers are encouraged to contact Cotton Australia for more information or assistance.”
GrainGrowers northern region coordinator Susan McDonnell said a wetter than average winter season last year had contributed to the increase in cotton planted.
“This increase includes over 200 new and returning growers, which is contributing to the location spread for cotton planted this year,” Ms McDonnell says.
“With this increase in cotton planted, growers are urged to be mindful that some of these crops could be growing close by.
“Growers need to be particularly careful about reducing spray drift when spraying summer fallows over coming months.
“Reading and following chemical label instructions, include buffer zones and carefully monitoring wind speeds and directions are all part of good spraying practice.
“Growers are also urged to use spray monitoring tools such as SprayWise and CottonMap.”
SprayWise Decisions, developed by GrainGrowers and sponsored by Nufarm, allows farmers to review weather conditions for the last 14 days and predict weather patterns up to 14 days in advance.
GrainGrowers commercial manager Nick Bryant encourageed growers, agronomists and spray contractors to access the SprayWise Decisions app before spraying.
“SprayWise Decisions provides anyone involved in applying crop chemicals with invaluable hyper local weather information that can help to avoid spraying in high risk or ineffective conditions.
“It provides the ability review farm level weather conditions for the last 14 days, predict weather patterns up to 14 days in advance and includes hourly forecasts for Delta T, a reliable indicator of spray droplet life, spray drift potential and spray effectiveness.”
