An innovative dual herbicide spray head may help cane farmers slash residual herbicide use by as much as 70 per cent.
 
Early trials look promising, with Queensland Government officers and north Queensland growers working on a solution to protect sugar crops, cut costs and reduce residual chemical run-off into waterways and ultimately the Great Barrier Reef.
 
Reef Protection support officer Allan Blair from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) has joined forces with growers to develop the dual herbicide spray head.
 
The spray head works by applying residual herbicide on the cane row and non-residual herbicides in the inter-row simultaneously.
 
“The development of the spray head is a response to the reef regulations which places limitations on the use of residual herbicides containing the chemicals, Atrazine, Ametryn, Hexazinone and Diuron,” Mr Blair said.
 
“The idea came about when local producers Ray Zamora and Peter Vecchio suggested Glyphosate could be used as an alternative to applying residual herbicides in the inter-row.
 
“A few preliminary engineering drawings were drafted and Innisfail district cane producer John Chizotti constructed the prototype heads.”
 
He said the spray head slotted into existing Irvin boom sprayers to deliver Glyphosate in the centre of the row through a low-pressure electric pump and an air-inclusion nozzle.
 
“The wing nozzles on the spray head deliver the standard mixes of Paraquat and/or low rates of regulated residual herbicides to the row itself,” Mr Blair said.
 
“We expect the end result for growers may be a reduction in the use of regulated herbicides of 50 to 70 per cent.

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“This project is in its early days and we will spend the coming season refining the spray heads.
 
“Our static tests look promising, but the proof will be in on-farm trials.”
 
Initial field trials will be conducted at Adrian Darveniza’s property at South Johnstone.
 
“Eventually we could place a set of the experimental spray heads at a number of locations between Mackay and Mossman to better evaluate their practical application across different sugar-producing districts,” he said.
 
“This way, we can ensure a wide spectrum of grower input into the fine-tuning and refinement of the sprayer tailored to the specific needs of each district.”
 
Mr Blair said the partnership with growers on this project was a rewarding experience.
 
“As a group, they are always interested in spray technology and innovation and minimising off-target application of chemicals,” he said.
 
This is part of the Queensland Government’s farming initiative to improve farm production and profitability and improve water quality entering the Great Barrier Reef.