Dr Andrew Landers visit to Australia to present regional workshops on improving spray application
Abstract
Dr Andrew Landers, of Cornell University USA, delivered 16 workshops in five states of Australia on effective spray application. A world expert with 35 years experience in agricultural engineering,
Andrew Landers provided information, backed with sound research, on the use of techniques for
monitoring and adjusting airflow and direction to improve spray deposition and reduce drift.
Workshops were organised by Mark Sosnowski (SARDI) and Duncan Farquhar (NWGIC) in
coordination with regional grower associations and were attended by 612 growers and industry
personnel. In summary, nozzle selection and orientation, airflow regulation and the use of tracers to assess deposition and spray drift will improve the efficiency of spray application. Initial feedback to the workshops was overwhelmingly positive and an online survey indicated immediate uptake of
information and adoption of techniques following the workshops. The general feeling of growers was typified by the quote “science delivered in everyday language”. In conclusion, growers are
recommended to follow up and adopt ideas presented by Andrew and there is more demand for
similar nationally focused workshops particularly in the area of vine health and recommendations from this experience will enhance future such projects. The outcome of this workshop series has been an important increase in the capacity of the Australian wine industry to sustain production and protect assets by managing vine health.
Summary
Dr Andrew Landers is a faculty member of Cornell University, based at the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station in Geneva, NY USA. He leads an application technology program involving the use of engineering solutions to provide safe and efficient spraying. Andrew has conducted research leading to growers improving the efficiency of spraying with minor (inexpensive) modifications to existing equipment using simple techniques to measure airflow, spray distribution, deposition and drift. This work has lead to reductions in pesticide use in USA necessary for controlling diseases and pests and reduced the potential impact on the environment.
With funding from Wine Australia and Cornell University, Andrew Landers travelled to Australia. The visit was organised by Mark Sosnowski (South Australian Research and Development Institute) and Duncan Farquhar (National Wine and Grape Industry Centre) in coordination with various grape grower industry associations around the country. The objective of this project was to provide Australian grape growers with valuable information from research in the USA which will improve management of grapevine diseases and pests.
Andrew Landers visited 16 wine regions in five states of Australia and delivered workshops to 612 industry personnel. Indoor seminars and vineyard demonstrations provided knowledge on a range of topics including; i) how droplets are formed and how we can make better use of them, ii) how airflow affects penetration and deposition, iii) inexpensive ways of getting the spray onto the target and reduce drift and iv) developments in vineyard spraying in Europe and North America. In summary, it was concluded that drift is impossible to eliminate but it can be minimized. Implementing methods such as nozzle selection and orientation, airflow regulation and the use of tracers to assess deposition and spray drift will improve the efficiency of spray application saving time, money and future problems.
Immediate feedback on the surveys was very positive with reports of ‘word of mouth’ from early events spreading between regions and bolstering numbers in latter events. An online survey was conducted by Duncan Farquhar to obtain feedback from attendees and to ascertain adoption of methods and ideas offered by Andrew Landers. Forty-three responses were received from all regions except Tasmania, the Clare Valley or Gundagai. Results show that last season, before attending the workshop, the majority of respondents checked their spray coverage, predominantly using water sensitive paper, which was encouraging. However, the majority of respondents did not check for spray drift last season. Following the workshop, the majority of respondents made changes to the set up of their sprayers. Replacing and changing nozzle orientation was the dominant practice adopted followed by reducing and/or redirecting airflow. One respondent is building a tunnel sprayer. Overall, a little more than half of the respondents changed practices as a result of the workshop. It would be interesting to follow up next year to find out the extent of adoption of these practice changes. Demand for future workshops by respondents revealed nutrition as prominent on the vine health radar along with trunk diseases, especially eutypa dieback. There was an overwhelmingly positive response to the way in which Andrew presented the information and he was really able to connect with the growers which was summed up by the comment “science delivered in everyday language”.
Local coordinators of each workshop were also asked for feedback on the workshops and the organization process. Six responses were received. In general, all were very pleased with the content of the workshop and its relevance to the local region. Comments were made on the need for improved communication in regard to planning, budgeting and timing as well as the use of handouts. All coordinators showed great interest in holding similar workshops in the future.
Andrew Landers provided comments on his perspective of the workshop series. He praised the hospitality of local organizers and was very positive about the overall organization of transport, accommodation and other logistics. He commended the growers for their attentiveness and interest in his research. Also encouraging is that Andrew commented in conversation on the superiority of the Australian industry in the area of OH&S, compared to any other place he has visited in the world. In future, the use of handouts to provide follow up material for attendees was also noted. Several areas of future collaboration have been identified during a number of meetings between Andrew and industry personnel during the visit.
Recommendations arising from this project include; i) growers follow up and read Andrews notes and slides and consider the many ideas for improving and optimising spray application, ii) a national spring workshop series in vine health issues should be coordinated by the National Extension Steering Committee and iii) a more detailed hands on training course be developed with collaboration between Australian experts and Andrew Landers. This will lead improved production of grapes in Australia and further enhance its international reputation.