To date, more than 85 per cent of the total crop, or 1700 cotton fields have been mapped at www.cottonmap.com.au in a bid to curb millions of dollars in damage to cotton caused by 2,4D drift.

Cotton Australia is urging all farmers in cotton valleys intending to use products from the Phenoxy herbicide range to go online and check for sensitive nearby cotton fields, bearing in mind that not all cotton fields have been mapped.

“If you find you’ve got a neighbor growing cotton within a 10km radius, you need to take extra precautions to ensure your 2,4D applications do not drift,” Cotton Australia chief executive Adam Kay said.

“That means following the label’s legal requirements, only spraying in ideal weather conditions, using coarse or very coarse spray nozzles and informing neighbours of your intention to spray.

“Despite being impacted, the cotton industry has funded this website to assist all farmers to check the placement of sensitive cotton fields before 2,4D is applied.

"We are hoping for a significant reduction in damage this year, for what is an entirely preventable problem."

* To check the location of cotton fields in your area, go to www.cottonmap.com.au, remembering that not all fields have been mapped and that other precautions are necessary.