A series of one-day, practical training courses to help grains, cotton and rice growers with individual sprayer set-ups and spray plans for 2,4-D application will be held throughout New South Wales starting in February.
The training is being offered through AgSkilled 2.0, an industry-led workforce development initiative supported by the NSW Government and developed to facilitate training for the grains, cotton, production horticulture, viticulture and rice growing sectors.
Under this initiative, Tocal College in conjunction with Spray Safe and Save will provide an accredited Advanced Chemical Spray Application Training course, which consists of a one-day workshop, plus an on-farm or workplace visit to assist in customising spray plans and equipment set-up for each participant.
AgSkilled 2.0 co-ordinator Claudia Vicary said the training had been developed in response to changes by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) to the use patterns of 2,4-D.
"These changes are part of the response to significant drift incidents resulting in high levels of crop damage, so it is critical anyone using 2,4-D ensures their spray plans and sprayer set-ups meet the new label requirements," Ms Vicary said.
"The agricultural industry as a whole faces the challenge of ensuring spray application practices do not adversely impact on other crops, and this training will help address this issue."
The Advanced Chemical Spray Application Training course is designed for experienced broadacre spray applicators (growers, advisers, employees and spray contractors) and will be delivered by well-known specialist Craig Day from Spray Safe and Save.
The one-day workshop will run from 8.45am to 4.30pm and will be followed by a farm or workplace visit (farms or workplaces must be within one hour of the course location). Places are limited and registrations are required 25 days prior to the course start date. COVID-safe procedures have been implemented for the safety of all participants attending the course and the workplace visits.
This event will cover: weather; drift reduction strategies and technologies; how to recognise and avoid inversions; chemical label requirements; record keeping including spray plans; practical strategies for mixing and applying chemicals; workplace health and safety; practical demonstrations using a variety of nozzles and water rates; water quality; and the effect of adjuvants in the chemical mix.
The workplace visit will cover: development of customised spray drift management plans for winter and summer covering machine set-up and nozzles; calibration and testing of spray equipment as per spray plans; operation of equipment to ensure accuracy; general fine-tuning of the machine; time for one-on-one discussion to clarify any issues from the workshop.
2021 training locations:
- Caragabal: workshop February 2; workplace visits February 3-5.
- Goulburn: workshop February 9; workplace visits February 10-12.
- Hillston: workshop February 23; workplace visits February 24-26.
- Narromine: workshop March 16; workplace visits March 17-19.
- North Star: workshop July 6; workplace visits July 7-9.
- Narrandera: workshop July 20; workplace visits July 21-23.
- Mungindi: workshop August 3; workplace visits August 4-6.
- Wee Waa: workshop August 10; workplace visits August 11-13.
- Coolah: workshop August 17; workplace visits August 11-13.
- Walbundrie/Culcairn: workshop August 24; workplace visits August 25-27.
- Griffith: workshop August 31; workplace visits September 1-3.
- Cowra: workshop September 28; workplace visits September 29-October 1.
The advanced chemical spray application course is aligned and delivered against vocational education and training requirements. Successful completion will result in a Statement of Attainment and can contribute to a nationally recognised qualification.
