Spray application and spray drift management is critical in
using herbicide and pesticide products effectively and safely – for you as
operator, and both target areas being sprayed and non-target areas.
As
well, awareness of current or new label instructions for some products really
mean users must up their performance to use best practice to reduce the risk of
off-target spray drift and to incorporate the new label instructions for the
use of 2,4-D.
The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority
(APVMA) suspended the labels of all products containing the active ingredient
2,4-D from October 4, 2018, replacing them with a permit.
Key changes for using 2,4-D under the permit include:
applicators must now use at least a Very Coarse (VC) spray quality; when using
a boom sprayer, boom heights must be 0.5 metres (or lower) above the target
canopy; and downwind buffers now apply (typically less than 50 metres, subject
to rate and product being applied) between application sites, and downwind of
sensitive crops and environmentally sensitive aquatic areas.
While new procedures are focused on 2,4-D, common sense
would indicate that related products also may need more appropriate care during
spraying. It might also lead to better
overall outcomes and improved success for the target plants.
Six videos have been developed and are worth looking at to
help users adapt to the changes.
Presented by respected spray consultant Bill Gordon, the new
series of six videos cover the topics :
• 2,4-D
label changes
• A spray
contractor’s experience
• Nozzle
selection for larger droplets
• Weather
conditions and the 2,4-D label
• Maximising
spray coverage
• Maximising
spray efficiency
More information and links to the media are on a few web
sites; this link should find the videos –
they are listed sequentially.
Useful for growers and spray users across many field crop
species, horticulture, pastures and turf to help effective spraying and prevent problems –
which could come back to hit you!
While specific to 2,4-D the principles really have wider ramifications and should improve overall herbicide spray operations. Good sensible operational practice pays off with better outcomes.
While specific to 2,4-D the principles really have wider ramifications and should improve overall herbicide spray operations. Good sensible operational practice pays off with better outcomes.
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