NGN - Spray application best practice industry training days for the Northern Region

Description:

Constraint: At NGN events across NSW and QLD, grain growers and advisors continue to identify spray equipment setup, operation efficiency, drift management and pesticide compliance as significant challenges when implementing control measures for biotic pests (weeds, insects and disease) to protect grain yield and quality.

The industry also relies on a small number of experts to educate and guide grain growers in best practise pesticides use and this limits accessibility of knowledge.

Opportunity: Growers and advisors are interested in updating and refreshing knowledge on various considerations of pesticide use and compliance. The opportunity exists to bring together (i) a manual on best management practice of pesticide use and compliance, (ii) delivery of workshop training that covers theory and practical considerations, and (iii) train the trainer to improve accessibility of expertise in pesticide use and compliance.

Outcome:

By March 31st, 2027, seventy percent of grain growers in the Northern GRDC region have improved knowledge and access to infomation pertaining to the use of pesticides and their regulations for the purposed of protecting crop production and grain quality.

Outputs

Output 1.

Title: Spray Day Training

Description: By 30 March 2025, and annually thereafter – coordinate and deliver hands on Industry Spray Training Days (ten annually for a total of thirty) in the GRDC Northern Region to educate growers and advisors and to promote best practice spray management.

Key details to be addressed may include but not be limited to;

- spray equipment investment and setup

- spray planning, application conditions, efficacy and drift reduction

- spray operations and logistics

- spray technology and innovations

- chemical registration, use and compliance

- chemical handling, logistics and storage

• Events to include expert presentations from relevant GRDC and / or cross-RDC investments, agricultural chemical companies, industry representative bodies, spray equipment manufacturers, and agribusiness addressing high priority topics relevant to each location.

• engagement across industry that also includes a local focus for support of these events

• consider opportunities to seek industry support for the events through in-kind and/or paid trade displays, demonstrations activities etc. whilst ensuring delivery is brand agnostic.

• manage local event and GRDC events page, social media and electronic direct mail promotion of the events.

• coordinate and/or collaborate with relevant stakeholder organisations such as QDAF, NSW DPI, Cotton Seed Distributors, Cotton Grower Services, CRDC, DCRA, (Dryland Cotton Research Association) Elders, Nutrien Ag Solutions, AMPS and Delta Ag etc. in an effort to ensure minimal overlap and maximum leverage of current activities and materials. This may mean co-branding of joint events with other RDCs, companies and Government agencies and development of a coordinated calendar of events.

Output 2.

Title: Pesticide application manual for Spray Training Days

Decription: By November 2024, revision of current technical manuals for use as part of spray training days to support grain growers, their staff and advisers, and delivery trainers. The manual and its delivery in workshop forums will need to provide current, high quality technical information building on current publications and include all aspects of spray application that are considered essential. Key considerations may include but not be limited to;

- understanding drift and best practice management,

- use and interpretation of WAND tower metrics,

- application techniques,

- nozzle selection and pressure,

- droplet size.

Output 3.

Title: Training the trainer in BMP pesticide application

Description: By March 2027, upskill at least two new service provider/s or persons to increase capacity for workshop delivery in the GRDC northern region

Output 4.

Title: Enduring communication artefacts

Description: By MArch 2027, in collaboration with GRDC development of a webinar and video series (at least four using GRDC contracted videographer) that covers key messages of best practice management for pesticide application.