21 August 2019

Using agricultural chemicals on farms should not be an automatic response to fixing a problem, however, when chemicals are a necessary decision, care needs to be taken to ensure best practices are implemented to avoid off-target movement.

In a region where many farms are certified and non-certified organic/biodynamic it is important to be aware of neighboring systems and work together to farm responsibly.

If a decision to spray is reached, then setting time aside to adequately plan any spray program is vital to ensure chemicals are used safely and responsibly. A small amount of effort in planning at the start is far more efficient than dealing with issues later and will also help to minimise the risk of off-target chemical movement.

Good spray application management employs several techniques to minimise off-target movement.

• 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

You must also ensure:

• You have the correct licence and/or permit
• Comply with notification requirements
• Make chemical use records.

Useful links:
Agriculture Victoria – spraying agricultural chemicals
Agriculture Victoria – resources for managing spray drift

Image: Agriculture Victoria