MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS
- Comply with current label/permit and state regulations for all agricultural chemical use. Note that labels and permits are specific to a product and not always replaceable with a generic product with the same active ingredient for a given use.
- Refer to relevant codes of practice or industry guidelines. If acting outside of these recommendations ensure a suitable alternative has been identified and documented.
- If your contract defines a destination market, check whether it has more stringent maximum residue limits (MRLs). If it does, your chemical program may need to be adjusted so that these MRLs are not exceeded.
- Monitor weather at the start, during and completion of spraying.
- Accurately identify pests (insects, weeds or diseases).
- Consider pest biology and thresholds in decisions.
- Match product to crop type, crop growth stage and pest. Consider resistance management.
- Match application method to suit mode of action and growth stage of crop and target pest.
- Use spray application equipment and settings that are suited to the use. Ensure staff, advisors and contractors have suitable skills, experience and qualifications.
- Ensure staff, advisors and contractors have suitable skills, experience and qualifications.
- Report spray drift and pesticide incidents according to state requirements.
- Within 24 hours of each chemical application make an accurate record, to be kept for at least 2 years according to state regulations and label requirements. Depending on your state and the chemical product label this may include:
- Date with start and finish times of application;
- Locations, address and paddock/s sprayed (farm map can be used);
- Full name of the product;
- Amount of product used per hectare & number of hectares applied to;
- Crop/situation and weed/pest;
- Wind speed and direction during application;
- Air temperature and relative humidity during application;
- Nozzle brand, type, spray angle, nozzle capacity and spray system pressure measured during application;
- Name and address of person applying this product;
- Personal protective equipment used;
- Batch number where required by the state or territory;
- Any additional information required as directed by label or permit.
- Store chemicals and dangerous goods in accordance with Australian standards, label requirements and safety data sheets. For example bunding, ventilation, signage, security and safety.
- Maintain a chemical inventory for hazardous chemicals and dangerous goods.
- Keep current safety data sheets (SDS) at the point of use, accessible to all staff.
- When transporting and storing dangerous goods comply with the most current Australian Dangerous Goods (ADG) code.
- When transporting other chemicals, use safe practices and restrain as required.
- Follow safe chemical handling practices such as using personal protective equipment (PPE) and ensuring load lifting weights are safe for the operator.
- Notifying authorities as required in the event of a spill or exposure.
OTHER PRACTICES TO CONSIDER IN YOUR GRAIN FARMING ENTERPRISE
- Monitoring weather at least at the start of each chemical load and at the end of the job.
- Maximising efficacy and avoiding off-target movement or drift of chemicals. For example:
- Applying chemicals under optimal weather conditions, using:
- Weather forecasting to plan spray application jobs.
- Tools to assess suitability of weather conditions for application (evaporation & droplet survival), assessed at the site.
- Assessment of inversion risk before and during spraying.
- Referring to sensitive area maps before spraying. (eg BeeConnected; CottonMap)
- Using suitable strategies to reduce drift, eg adjuvants, droplet sizes and equipment.
- Calibrating chemical application equipment to ensure it meets desired standards. Testing outputs of all nozzles, speed sensors and flow meters.
- Regularly checking nozzle patterns, nozzle flow along the boom and ground speed.
- Agitating the spray tank sufficiently for the load to be uniformly mixed.
- Considering adjuvants and tank mix partners in relation to water quality, crop safety, efficacy, spray drift potential and odour.
- Avoiding holding mixed product in tanks for extended periods.
- Ensuring thorough incorporation and mixing of chemicals applied to grain in storage.
- Decontaminating equipment.
- Using a suitably qualified advisor.
- Developing a resistance management plan with your adviser to proactively identify and manage pesticide resistance risks.
- Developing a pesticide use plan that includes application methods, drift risks and integrated pest management (IPM). Discussing this with your adviser before and during each season.
- Notifying neighbours of your seasonal pesticide use plan and planned spray applications.
- Using closed systems for mixing, transfer and application of pesticides.
- Recording any additional information needed for a commodity vendor declaration, delivery document and/or quality assurance scheme.
- Keeping records in an integrated farm management package with a farm map that identifies individual paddocks or management units, risk areas and hazards.
- Recording crop growth stage and batch numbers of all chemicals used.
- Obtaining all advisor recommendations in writing and keeping with records.
- When using spray contractors:
Provide the spray contractor with:
- Written spray orders (paper or electronic) that include weather conditions suitable for spraying.
- Accurate farm maps, including sensitive areas and contact details.
- Farm biosecurity action plan and pesticide use plan. Obtain from the spray contractor:
- Copies of chemical users accreditation, necessary licence/s and certificates of currency for workers compensation and public liability insurance.
- Written spray application records on completion of each spray job (paper or electronic).
- Maintaining an up-to-date inventory of all stored chemicals.
- Returning or disposing of chemical containers and unused chemicals through ChemClear, drumMUSTER or similar programs.
- Considering and managing the risks when using chemical mixing sites and trailers.
- Preparing an emergency response plan in case of a spill (spill kit, actions, notification and first aid).
