Optimising pesticide delivery for best effect in reducing waterway risk
Project Bluewater 2, delivered by Farmacist, was a part of the Lower Burdekin Water Quality program aimed at optmising the delivery of pesticide.
Pictured above is grower Joe Quagliata, left, with Farmacist Project Officer Chris Doblo.
Farmacist delivered 170 projects across 103 farms involving 60 landholders managing more than 11,300ha.
They smashed their Waterway Risk Unit reduction targets, achieving more than 250 per cent of the required figure for a total reduction just above 1.6m.
That equated to an overall risk reduction of 26 per cent in risk to local waterways.
They took 40 water samples and conducted six trials to generate data to inform the project.
The engaged 75 growers across 169 farms to deliver pesticide plans and rebuilt 20 booms in-house to help growers deliver chemicals more efficiently and with greater effect.
JOE QUAGLIATA
Third-generation cane grower Joe Quagliata received expert advice on optimising pesticide use, saving him money and minimising deep drainage runoff.
Airville farmer Joe Quagliata doesn’t like using pesticides on his crops, but knows they are a necessary evil to prevent grasses and vines taking over and reducing yield.
“The less chemicals I apply, the better, but it has to be done smartly and safely,” Joe said.
Joe joined Project Bluewater, and worked with local agronomy company Farmacist to determine whether his practices could be improved to benefit his bottom line and reduce waterway risk for an environmental benefit.
He accessed a range of support, including a tailored pesticide management plan, spray rig assessment and calibrations, and assistance with recording application data, to comply with legal requirements.
Joe said the advice received, combined with the results of strip trials, gave him the confidence to simplify his pesticide mix from several different chemicals down to one.
“I had the opportunity to learn more about the chemicals I was using, and how to apply them properly,” Joe said.
“I do believe I’ve gained a lot more knowledge about my farming.”
Farmacist’s Chris Doblo said although the window for farmers to treat their crops was relatively short, it wasn’t necessary to apply extra pesticide “just in case.”
“Farmers are often advised to use brews that have six or seven chemicals in one tank for that one spray application,” Chris said.
“Instead of throwing the kitchen sink at the problem in the hope something will stick, we have found that getting the chemistry and application right can achieve positive water quality outcomes without negative effects on yields or input costs.
“The pesticide Joe now uses sticks to organic matter and is highly unlikely to reach the water table, so we have greatly reduced the water quality risk.”
Joe said being part of the project had benefited his business and said there were many other Lower Burdekin farmers like him on a similar path.
“I am spending less money on pesticides because of the trials,” he said.
“I do believe attitudes have changed.
“A lot of people are more wary of costs now, so they’ve got to start adopting these changes, otherwise they’re going to get left behind and be out of pocket. It’s about looking at ways to save money but still be productive at the same time.”
