Spray Drift & Lasers
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If you are seeing this message, you made need to upgrade your Flash plugin, or turn on Java Script in your browser, or upgrade your browser itself (Internet Explorer, Firefox) so you can view our videos.Large scale crop spraying can be a risky practise, last year 40% of crops were affected by spray drift. Spray drift occurs when spray or droplets, drift outside their target area. Spraying with fertilizers or pesticides, in the wrong weather conditions, can potentially destroy your neighbour's crops. The National Farmers Federation (NFF) has recently drafted a policy on chemical spray application. Their policy states that no farmer has the right to impact on the livelihood of another farmer.
According to Bill Gordon, from Bill Gordon Consulting, the main causes of spray
drift are producers:
- Operating machinery incorrectly, with the wrong nozzle or at the wrong pressure.
- Spraying in the wrong conditions; when there is not enough wind or when there is too much wind.
Research is being conducted into reducing the risk of spray drift, by the Gatton campus at the University of Queensland. Their new laser device allows researchers to measure the amount of spray droplets and the speed that which the spray travels. This gives them an accurate picture of spray drift patterns and the ways to correct them. The university also has facilities to measure the potential spray drift caused by spraying from an aircraft. A specially designed wind tunnel, measures the droplet size from the aircraft in relation to its flight speed.
This research has resulted in the design of a new spray nozzle, which will drastically reduce the spray drift when using an aircraft.
To find out more about the National Farmers Federation's policy visit the NFF.
To learn more about the Laser/Spray research visit the University of Queensland.
To get more information about the risk of spray drifts visit the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority.
