Based on grower reports and confirmed incidents of Phenoxy spray drift damage, both the number of hectares and the severity of damage appears to be significantly less this season.

This would indicate that the awareness campaigns and messages of responsible spray application seem to be getting through.

Feedback on the ‘Cotton Map’ industry initiative has been overwhelmingly positive and a more formal evaluation of that risk management tool and others aspects of Cotton Australia’s drift management campaign will commence in the next month.

However, for some regions and individual growers- there hasn’t been enough improvement, as spray drift and significant crop damage has again occurred this season.

The lower Namoi valley, in particular Wee Waa, Pilliga and Walgett growers continue to be frustrated by what appears to be a small number of applicators who repeatedly show little regard for label instructions, responsible spray application and managing any adverse impacts on neighbours.

Cotton Australia says it will continue to focus resources on this and other regions to help defend the interests of growers and advocate for tougher action by the authorities for those who blatantly offend.

It has also reminded growers to be diligent in their applications of defoliant sprays and the spraying of fallow paddocks in the coming weeks and months.

Growers should take all care to ensure best practice is followed when applying these products to ensure no off-target drift occurs.