Agrichemical Use

The use of agrichemicals is essential to farm, orchard and vineyard production. However they need to be used safely and responsibly to protect human health and the environment.

Spray drift in particular is an important issue especially in intensive horticultural producing areas such as the Heretaunga Plains. Spray drift can cause human health problems such as asthma, watery eyes and skin rashes and pollutes waterways. The Regional Council has rules for the management of spray drift – both conventional and organic sprays. These are contained in the Regional Resource Management Plan. Organic sprays can also have a detrimental effect and are not exempt from Council rules.

On this page:

 

• Minimising Spray Drift
• Protecting you and your home from spray drift
• Agrichemical Application Rules
• Organic Agrichemical Management
• Property Spray Plans
• GROWSAFE© Qualifications and Training
• Agrichemical Sprayer Filler Pads
• What do I do with unwanted agrichemicals?
• Agrichemical Storage

 

 

Minimising Spray Drift

Weather Conditions

In Hawke’s Bay, most spray drift incidences occur during early season cover spraying in marginal weather conditions:

• Assess weather conditions prior to spraying so you can plan where to start in the block
• Know the wind speed and direction and don’t forget the sea breeze in coastal areas
• Recheck the weather during spraying and use tools such as wind socks and water sensitive paper to help
• If spray drift is likely to cross boundaries or sensitive areas stop and spray less sensitive areas until conditions improve.

Calibration of Equipment

• Check that the number and pattern of nozzles used, and the fan speed are appropriate for the target area. Applications that spray >1.5m above the canopy are extremely prone to drift and costly in terms of wasted agrichemical.
• Is the water rate appropriate for the application? Many early season sprays require good wetting and so high volume water rates are needed.
• However, concentrate low volume cover spraying is a very efficient means of reducing drift and spraying costs.
• Know your agrichemicals and follow the label instructions. Volatile sprays are more likely to drift.
• Regular sprayer calibration and maintenance during the season is essential for effective spraying. Discuss the calibration and maintenance of your sprayer with a trained calibrator, agrichemical supplier or your spray equipment specialist.

 

Sensitive Areas & Hazards

• Identify sensitive areas and hazards within and surrounding the application area, i.e. schools, roads, footpaths, houses, waterways, organic or other crops
• Develop strategies to minimise spray drift specific to each sensitive area such as:
• Timing (spray outside school hours, during low traffic flow)
• Knowledge of neighbourhood (bees in neighbours block, don’t spray insecticides toxic to bees)
• Buffer zones
• Hedges
• Wind direction.
• The identification of sensitive areas and hazards, and strategies to avoid their contamination, are part of a Property Spray Plan.

Operator Knowledge & Experience

An experienced spray operator with detailed knowledge of the site and the agrichemicals can significantly reduce spray drift. In marginal spraying conditions new or less confident staff members should be closely supervised.

Shelter Belts and Buffer Zones

Shelter belts and buffer zones reduce spray drift. They also reduce the need for signage during spraying. Include buffer zones and shelter belts around sensitive areas and include riparian planting around waterways.

What to do if spray drift occurs around your home

• Shower and change your clothing if you have been sprayed
• Visit your doctor if your health has been affected
• Wash exposed fruit and vegetables
• Disconnect the downpipes to rain water tanks and leave disconnected until the roof has been washed.
• Re-wash any washing that was on the clothesline
• Wash down children’s play equipment
• Talk to your neighbour
• You can report spray drift to the Regional Council Pollution Response Team on 0800 108 838 or ring for advice.

Agrichemical Application Rules

The Regional Council plans promote the safe and responsible use of organic and conventional agrichemicals. The Environment Topic Agrichemical Application Rules includes the rules for agrichemical use.

In summary, if applying volumes of agrichemical greater than a knapsack sprayer or a non-motorised handgun sprayer:

The person doing the spraying must be qualified. Pilots and ground based contractors need additional qualifications. You must have a Property Spray Plan if you spray more than twice a year within 50m of your boundary. Identify the sensitive areas such as roads, waterways and your neighbours and note down ways you will avoid spray drift. Use roadside signs to alert passer-by’s you are spraying nearby. Follow the label instructions on the agrichemical container. Use the right method of application for the agrichemical.

 

If spraying privately at home you must:

 

• Make sure there is no spray drift over your property boundary or into a waterway.
• Follow the label instructions on the agrichemical container.

 

 

 

Organic Agrichemical Management

 

Hawke’s Bay Regional Council regularly investigates complaints from members of the public about the spraying of organic agrichemicals. In particular lime sulphur can create a problem for hours, even days causing breathing difficulties for the elderly, asthmatics and the sick.

An agrichemical is any substance used to control plants, insects or animals (not fertiliser or pheromones) and can be man-made or naturally occurring. Organic producers must meet the same requirements as conventional producers.

The Environment Topic Organic Agrichemical Management outlines the rules but also discusses the management of odours. Similar to managing drift, identify areas sensitive to odour such as homes and schools and work out how you are going to minimise odour in these areas. Consider:

• Spraying when the wind is blowing away from sensitive areas
• Spraying outside school hours
• Spraying when neighbours are not home
• Do not spray when the neighbour is having a Sunday family barbeque!

 

Property Spray Plans

 

Preparing a Property Spray Plan gives a simple example of a Property Spray Plan. These plans are needed for properties where agrichemical is applied within 50m of a boundary more than twice a year. Their purpose is to get you to identify areas sensitive to spray and methods you will use to minimise spray drift. Also include your spray programme, your neighbours names and phone numbers, the names, phone numbers and GROWSAFE© numbers of those spraying.

Hortplus have released (spring 2006) Spray Plan Manager, an electronic updatable property spray plan which meets Hawke's Bay Regional Council's property spray plan requirements. The software is freely available to all growers from the Spray Plan Manager Website.

 

GROWSAFE© Qualifications and Training

 

Are you or your contractors qualified to spray agrichemicals?

If applying volumes of agrichemical greater than a knapsack sprayer or a non-motorised handgun sprayer you need to be certified:

• Individual landowners and staff – GROWSAFE© Introductory Certificate or equivalent
• Land-based contractors – National Certificate in Agrichemical Application and GROWSAFE© Registered Chemical Applicators Certificate or equivalent
• Employees of a land-based contractor – GROWSAFE© Applied Certificate or equivalent
• Pilots – National Certificate in Agrichemical Application (Aerial) and Pilots Rating issues by the Civil Aviation Authority.

For a list of certified contractors and pilots and for registered GROWSAFE© trainers contact GROWSAFE© (04) 472 9997 or access the GROWSAFE© website.

 

Agrichemical Sprayer Filler Pads

Sprayer Filler Pads are an area designed to collect any spillage of agrichemical mixtures and concentrates in sprayer filler areas. Hawke’s Bay Regional Council does not require sprayer filler pads to be installed. However every person still has a duty to avoid, remedy or mitigate any adverse effect on the environment. Spray filling areas should not be near waterways, bores/wells or over the unconfined aquifer. If they are, filler pads are an excellent way to minimise risk to the environment. The Environment Topic Agrichemical Sprayer Filler Pads describes a best practice method of location and design of sprayer filler pads and is based on a guideline developed by GROWSAFE©.

What do I do with unwanted agrichemicals?

Get rid of your unwanted agrichemicals safely and for free. Our agrichemical contractor collects in Hawke’s Bay every four months. Register for an agrichemical collection by contacting Environmental Officer Hazardous Waste, Hawke’s Bay Regional Council on (06) 833 8027.

Agrichemical Storage

Based on the GROWSAFE© Code of Practice for the Management of Agrichemicals NZS 8409:1999 the Environment Topic Agrichemical Storage Checklist is designed to assist farmers and growers to have a safe agrichemical storage shed. If you are storing large volumes of agrichemical also check HSNO requirements with your local council.