HERBICIDE spray drift damage to this season’s Central Queensland cotton crops has been reported.
Queensland Primary Industries and Fisheries Central Queensland cotton extension officer Susan Maas said spray drift prevention was an essential aspect of using agricultural chemicals responsibly.
Ms Maas, who works in cooperation with the Cotton Catchment Communities CRC and Research Development Corporation, said crop damage caused by spray drift of agricultural herbicide or pesticide was a significant concern for all growers and livestock producers.
“It is concerning that herbicide spray drift damage this early in the season has damaged cotton that was planted from September 22 at the start of the planting window and is now squaring,” Ms Maas said.
The 2009-10 predominantly irrigated cotton planting in Central Queensland amounts to about 17,000 hectares on the Central Highlands and 5,000ha in the Dawson-Callide.
Ms Maas said it was vital to communicate with neighbours and spray contractors to initially identify any sensitive crops in the area and then use well setup, calibrated equipment to improve spray efficacy as well as minimise the risk of drift.
“The bulk of the damage has been attributed to phenoxy-type chemicals such as 2,4-D and Starane moving off target trapped in inversion layer air movements,” Ms Maas said.
“To control grass and broadleaf weed growth and to conserve soil moisture, growers should be selecting spray nozzles to apply coarse droplets that are too heavy to remain suspended in thermal air movement.”
Biosecurity Queensland senior inspector Jamie Milne said spray operators had a moral and legal obligation to ensure spray applications did not impact on neighbouring crops or landholders.
“It is vital that spray operators always refer to label requirements and monitor and record meteorological conditions throughout the spray job,” Mr Milne said.
“Agricultural chemicals should always be used strictly in accordance with label instructions especially taking into account drift warnings, wind speed and droplet size limitations.”
Wind speed should be a steady 3km/hr to 15km/hr. Use visual indicators such as smoke, moisture or dust to monitor for still or low level inversions that tend to form in the late evening, strengthen overnight and are usually strongest near sunrise.
For optimum spray application conditions and further tips on spraying refer to the QPIF technical publication “Spray drift fact sheet” available as a link from the QPIF web site’s spray drift page.
Landholders who wish to lodge complaints of chemical misuse or spray drift incidents relating to crop or stock damage can notify the department by contacting the QPIF Business Information Centre on 13 25 23.
“The follow-up investigations are focussed on determining whether the operator may have breached provisions of Queensland’s agricultural and veterinary chemical control or use legislation,” Mr Milne said.
Email a friend