Australia: New spraying regulations 2,4-D to affect farmers

The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority has announced interim measures from its review of 2,4-D which require new spray drift instructions for the 2019 season.
 

The 2,4-D products currently exposed to these measures are 2,4-D Amine and LV Ester. However, in future years it may be extended to include most, if not all, of the Group I herbicides like MCPA, Lontrel and dicamba, Garlon, Starane and others.

Nufarm Australia has been instrumental in helping farmers change their thinking towards spraying with these products, and providing the knowledge required for them to successfully apply the 2,4-D products without the risk of drift. Anyone applying 2,4-D products is now obliged to follow the new label directions. Manufacturers, like Nufarm, have new labels on all 2,4-D products and will provide access to these labels for all 2,4-D products. All advisors will also need to be aware of the changes to ensure spray recommendations do not breach the new labels. Marc Cooney from Nufarm said there were a couple of things Yorke Peninsula farmers must be aware of when applying these products in the future.
 

“The minimum mandatory droplet size increases to very coarse (currently coarse)” Marc said. “Farmers are advised to use a larger droplet size (extremely coarse or ultra-coarse) until April 15, 2019. “There are downwind buffer zones that have been established from sensitive vegetation and aquatic areas, with boom heights now restricted to a maximum of 50cm off of the target, whether it be the ground or the stubble.”YP AG’s Chris Davey said there were a few things farmers could do to prevent spray drift. “Use minimum of 80L/ha water volume and, in heavy stubbles, increase this to 100L/ha” he said. “Keep speeds to below 20km/h, and use only recommended adjuvants with the 2,4-D products in question.” Chris said spray drift was not a major concern on YP due to the lack of sensitive crops like vineyards, cotton and summer crops. “However, if we don’t abide by these guidelines, there is always a chance spray drift can occur, and we will lose these vital products completely from use in our farming systems,” he said.