The Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) has just released a Spray Application Manual for Grain Growers – a comprehensive digital publication available via the GRDC website at the following link.

The manual provides information on how various spraying systems and components work, along with those factors that the operator should consider to ensure the sprayer is operating to its full potential.

Spray application is an integral activity in modern grain farming systems and one that necessitates careful planning, preparation and implementation.

The control of weeds, diseases and pests in a timely manner, while minimising risks to the environment, requires that the spray operator has a good understanding of all the components that can influence the outcome of each spray job.

This new manual focuses on issues that will assist in maintaining the accuracy of the sprayer output while improving the efficiency and safety of spraying operations. It contains many useful tips which will no doubt be well received by growers and operators.

The manual includes practical information – backed by science – on sprayer set-up, including self-propelled sprayers, new tools for determining sprayer outputs, advice for assessing spray coverage in the field, improving droplet capture by the target, drift-reducing equipment and techniques, the effects of adjuvant and nozzle type on drift potential, and surface temperature inversion research.

The manual comprises 23 modules and each of these features a series of videos to deliver advice to growers and spray operators in a visual, easy-to-digest manner.

Dr Steve Jefferies

Managing director 

GRDC 

THE National Irrigators’ Council (NIC) believes the unreliability and high cost of power is a serious challenge to the future of affordable local food production.

The experience of power interruptions, on top of high prices, seen again in South Australia, has serious short and long term implications for food and fibre production. 

Power is a key component of irrigated agriculture.

That's particularly true of water efficient systems which pump, pipe and pressure the water.

Irrigated agriculture helps feed Australia.

But right now, the people growing Australia’s food are getting a double whammy. High electricity prices are making local production less competitive, and unreliable supply is stopping the water flowing at critical points in the production cycle. 

Data from one irrigation pump station at Loxton shows the cost of power increasing from $880,000 in 2010 to over $1.8 million in 2017, a 107% increase which can only be passed on to farmers. Add to that black outs and farmers must wonder what they are paying for.

The NIC advocates a policy response aimed at reigning in costs, including reforms to pricing and market regulation.

Steve Whan

Chief executive officer

National Irrigators’ Council 

To the person who “borrowed” the sprinkler from the laneway between Gimlet and Celtis Place on Australia Dat. Could you please return it as soon as possible as the grass is getting awfully dry without it.