Hands-on training sessions will be delivered in the Western Australian grainbelt in coming weeks to assist spray operators effectively set up and calibrate spraying equipment.

GRDC sprayer calibration/application workshops will be delivered by well-known WA spray application specialist Bill Campbell, and will be particularly suited to: younger grain growers; growers with new machinery; and farm employees.

"People attending these free, on-farm (WA sprayer) events will be updated on current best practice spraying information that will enable them to make correct and effective decisions across different spray situations," Mr Campbell says.

"Spray operators will learn how to ensure chemical products reach their target and avoid spray drift issues.

"The workshops will involve the use of different spraying systems and technologies, and demonstrate correct procedures for mixing and 'batching' chemicals."

GRDC has also produced a series of grower case study videos about optimising spray operations and reducing spray drift.

What's on the agenda

Each WA sprayer calibration/application workshop will cover:

• Application, droplet and coverage requirements in relation to water volume and mode of action, and how nozzles work.
• Spray techniques for different situations - including summer and winter knockdowns - and applying pre-emergent herbicides, fungicides and crop desiccation chemicals.
• Understanding different spraying systems/technologies, how they work, and how to best set them up.
• Practical demonstrations of commercial spray equipment with water sensitive paper to demonstrate different spray techniques, and to check and measure coverage and droplet deposition.
• Mixing/batching theory - with grower demonstrations of nurse tank/mobile mixing batch setups.
• Grower batching and loading demonstration.

Where to catch the demonstrations

Workshops are being held with the support of local WA grower groups at the following locations:

• Corrigin (Turners' farm, 194 Gill Road) - February 17
• Condingup (Perks' farm, 10 kilometres along Meyer Road) - February 19
• Cascade (Roberts' farm, 'Young Leaze shed', 5km north west of Cascade) - February 20
• Ravensthorpe (Chambers' farm, 1981 Floater Road) - February 21
• Manypeaks - (Thomson's farm, 496 Thomson Road) - March 13
• Broomehill (Bignell's farm, Bignell Road) - March 17
• Compass Agriculture Alliance, Darkan (Buller's farm, 970 Schinzig Buller Road) - March 19

Each of the free GRDC sprayer calibration/ application workshops will be held from 10.30am to 4.30pm and include lunch.

How to participate

To register or for more information, visit the GRDC events page, contact Mr Campbell (bill@campbellag.com, 0427 545 553) or participating grower groups:

• Corrigin Farm Improvement Group;
• South East Premium Wheat Growers Association (SEPWA);
• Ravensthorpe Agricultural Initiative Network (RAIN);
• Stirlings to Coast Farmers;
• Southern DIRT; and
• Compass Agriculture Alliance (CAA).

Those intending to attend the workshops are reminded that the movement of people and vehicles may bring unwanted plant pests on to farms during events, field work and trials.

GRDC Research Code BCC1910-001SAX

More information: Bill Campbell, spray application specialist, 0427 545 553, or elzet.vermeulen@grdc.com.au