Australia
April 27, 2011

A successful collaboration between the grain and cotton industries is reducing crop damage due to spray drift and increasing awareness of best management practices in chemical application.

The Cotton Field Awareness Map (www.cottonmap.com.au) is an industry initiative designed to highlight the location of cotton fields.

The service is provided free of charge to minimise off-target damage from downwind pesticide application, particularly during fallow spraying.

James Clark, GRDC northern panel chair says CottonMap is a proactive solution to the spray drift problem and urges both grain and cotton growers to use the service.

“Spray drift is a serious issue and affects everyone living, working and running broadscale farming businesses,” Mr Clark said.

“If spray drift continues the implications could be permanent and felt industry-wide.”

CottonMap allows growers to check where cotton is being grown and, combined with best management application practices, it is helping growers to reduce the risk of spray drift.

The January/February 2011 issue of GRDC’s Ground Cover includes a post card that helps growers access the CottonMap service which is active from September 1 and April 30 each year.

Farmers, farm managers, resellers, consultants, agronomists, applicators and contractors are encouraged to input their cotton fields.

Users can also access CottonMap to check the location of the paddocks they may be planning to spray to assess the proximity of the nearest cotton crop.

The map is a joint collaboration between GRDC, Cotton Australia, Cotton Research and Development Corporation (CRDC) and Nufarm Australia Limited, developed to meet industry needs.

GRDC has also produced a fact sheet, Managing Spray Drift – Sprayright to avoid drift, which outline best management practices to minimise off-target movement.

Techniques to consider include:

• Spray under desirable weather conditions including appropriate temperatures and no inversions;
• Select the correct droplet size;
• Spray when there is a consistent crosswind;
• Do not spray with the wind direction toward sensitive areas;
• Do not spray when there is excessive wind speed;
• Do not operate with a boom height too high;
• Avoid spraying with volatile products.

To download the GRDC Sprayright fact sheet, visit www.grdc.com.au/GRDC-FS-ManagingSprayDrift or logon to CottonMap at www.cottonmap.com.au.
 

Website: http://www.grdc.com.au

Published: April 28, 2011