That was the message delivered at an SFS organised on-farm boom spray application workshop near Hamilton in April conducted by independent spray application specialist, Graham Betts of “ASK GB” in Toowoomba.

“It’s not just about getting the boom spray working correctly – it’s about understanding what you’re trying to achieve by spraying and adequately planning for each job to ensure optimal results every time,” he said.

“The sprayer has become one of the most important pieces of equipment on the farm yet some spray operators lack the knowledge in how to get best results.”

The workshop covered the full range of issues, with particular focus on nozzle selection – one of the most important parts of any spray rig according to Mr Betts.

“Using nozzles that were on the sprayer when it was purchased doesn’t necessarily mean they’re the correct ones for the job you want to undertake,” he said.

“In most cases, farmers could be using better nozzles. It’s often necessary to have more than one set of nozzles to get the desired results from different spray applications.”

Other issues discussed included timing, water quality, boom height, and knowledge of the spray target.

Mr Betts advised workshop participants to check the pH, hardness and bicarbonate levels of any water supply to be used in spraying.

With reference to the spray target, he said farmers should spend time investigating exactly what weeds were in the paddock first.

“Know your weeds and what growth stage they’re at as this could affect the chemical application. Have a magnifying glass on hand to determine if weeds are waxy, hairy or shiny – it could mean you may need to add an adjuvant to penetrate the weeds,” he said.

Mr Betts also advised farmers to carry a hand held weather meter and a compass to accurately determine wind speed and direction.

He said accurate record keeping was also a necessity for future reference and certainly was one area in which farmers needed to be more diligent.

A feature of the workshop was the one-on-one advice provided to each of the 14 participants.

Workshop participant, John Huf of Croxton East said the workshop clarified a lot of spray issues and gave him a more in-depth understanding of his boom spray.

“I’m sure a few simple changes to my sprayer and the way I use it will have a great impact on our spraying results,” he said.

Cavendish district farmer, David Lewis said he was more confident in nozzle selection following the workshop, while Leon Schwarz from Caramut said he was surprised at the simplicity of the changes that could ultimately improve the end result.

For more information: Jacqueline Wilson

Hamilton Branch Southern Farming Systems Coordinator

P: 5572 3531 or email jacque.wilson@bigpond.com