Identify acceptable weather conditions for each product you use

Some product labels will indicate environmental requirements for wind speed, hazardous inversion conditions, rainfall events and no-spray zones (downwind buffers). Also consider wind direction in relation to sensitive areas, the likelihood of dew or frost, and delta T conditions at and following application, as these will affect how and when you apply many products.

It is a good idea to identify a couple of spray set-ups (spray quality and application volumes) suitable for each product or tank mix to be ready to manage what is in front of you, especially as environmental conditions change.

Know when to stop. Regardless of the product used, at some point spraying should not take place.

Find out more

For more information go to Module 4: Drift management strategies.

Make better decisions – monitor and assess conditions as you go

Regularly monitoring and recording the weather provides real data on which to base decisions.

Experienced operators learn to read visual clues, but these observations still need to be supported  by measurements in the paddock where you are spraying.

Handheld weather meters are good but are only practical when you stop to fill or mix. Many operators should consider having onboard weather stations, particularly if they have large tanks or long periods between filling operations. Where phone/internet coverage permits, remote weather monitoring base stations may be able to be accessed in real time to inform prevailing and forecast weather conditions.

Find out more

For more information go to Module 10: Weather monitoring for spraying operations.