A cotton crop impacted by spray drift. File photo: Cotton Australia

COTTON growers in New South Wales have reported the first signs of off-target spray-drift damage as concerns increase that there may be a nightmare season ahead, with ongoing wet weather resulting in an explosion of weeds.

In a normal season, spray drift reports begin to filter through in December and January however farmers are already facing an uphill battle to control weeds following an excellent winter crop and the resulting weeds in fallow, while emerging cotton crops are also facing weed exposure because of the conditions.

Cotton Australia regional manager for northern New South Wales Bob Ford said he has already heard of spray drift damage near Collarenebri, Narrabri, Rowena, and Walgett.

“Thankfully the damage isn’t significant yet; however, growers are reporting an unusually high weed issue in fields that are fallow after good winter crops and also in the emerging cotton crops, ” Mr Ford said.

Lower Namoi cotton grower Robert Everleigh said there’s a lot of fallow country which needs weed control now.

“There’s more rain on the way and with the mad pre-Christmas rush coming around it’s the perfect storm for off target spray drift to occur.

“Everyone needs to be reminded to obey the basic rules.”

Mr Ford said best-practice spraying may avoid many millions of dollars in damage.

“Responsible spraying strategies are part of a modern farming system, but everyone needs to follow instructions on the label, consider their neighbours, spray only when conditions are right and use best practice techniques.”

The 2022-23 season saw one of the worst years on record for spray drift, with some growers suffering millions of dollars’ worth of lost production.

Growers in the Macintyre and Balonne regions were particularly hard hit, and moderate to severe spray-drift incidents occurred on the Darling Downs, Mungindi, and Walgett regions, and in the Gwydir, Lower Namoi, and Macquarie valleys.

CA general manager Michael Murray said while the 2023-24 season saw relatively few reports of spray-drift damage, CA remained very concerned about this season, with growers already reporting damage.

“Cotton is particularly sensitive to spray drift from Group 4 herbicides, phenoxy herbicides including 2,4-D, and any adverse incidents have a financial impact on our growers, which is why Cotton Australia continues to train, educate and communicate regularly on what is expected,” Mr Murray said.

“We also ask all our farmers to map their activities on SataCrop.”

The mapping tool informs all stakeholders of the location of potentially sensitive crops, and uses WAND towers which can quickly forecast and detect hazardous conditions and inversions, enabling growers and spray contractors to spray according to the best conditions and in compliance with label requirements.

CA policy officer for research and development and stewardship Doug McCollum said the real risks start now.

In Queensland, most winter crops have been harvested, while further south they are still going.

Weeds in fallow are inevitable, and growers will want to control weeds in readiness for next season’s winter crops.

“Potentially any farmer can create a risk for any other farmer if they are not applying herbicides correctly  at this time of the year.

“Spray drift management strategies reduce the risk of unintended impacts to neighbours and the environment and ensure more herbicide lands where it should, to maximise weed control.”

“When developing a spray plan, check the weather forecast and select the most appropriate nozzles before you start spraying. Conversations with your neighbours about the timing of your spray operations are also encouraged.”

The Queensland Department of Primary Industries (DPI) assesses complaints of alleged chemical spray drift and may consider investigating the misuse of agricultural chemicals in high-risk incidents of spray drift, in catchments or on individual properties, depending on the risks. The DPI may also be out in the regions monitoring mandatory pesticide record keeping requirements.

Likewise in NSW, the Environment Protection Agency has responsibility for compliance and enforcement and has ensured more boots on the ground in growing areas and an increased visibility of its inspectors.

“This is a wake-up call to everyone in agriculture, not just cotton, grain and rice growers, everyone can be impacted in some way,” Mr McCollum said.

To sign up for WAND visit here https://www.goannaag.com/wand-network

For Satacrop click here: https://satacrop.com.au/

For advice from the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) the body responsible for the spray drift regulatory approach, visit: https://apvma.gov.au/node/10796

Source: Cotton Australia