Practical Guide to 2,4-D Spray Quality Compliance

24D Compliance through sensible nozzle choices.

Nozzle Selection for 2,4-D Applications

New label requirements for products containing 2,4-D came into effect on Thursday the 4th of October 2018 and subsequently re-issued in October 2019, with a couple of additions about acceptable Spray Quality testing standards and about booms not capable of achieving 500mm or less from the crop canopy or target.

The rules, apart from Permitted exceptions, demand a mandatory minimum working Spray Quality of VC (Very Coarse) and include an Advisory Statement for the use of UC/XC.

According to the Gazetted Permit the nozzles must be rated according to the International Standard ASABE S572-1. Our nozzles, manufacturer by ASJ Spray-Jet, (part of the global ARAG Group), are rated according to this standard. In October 2019 the APVMA published a broad list of approved International Standards.

NEW for 2020

"The APVMA recognises the following international standards for the classification of nozzles:

• American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE)British Crop Production Council (BCPC) (Southcombe et al. 1997) ISO 25358: Crop protection equipment — Droplet-size spectra from atomizers — Measurement and classification.
• ASAE S572 FEB04: Spray Nozzle Classification by Droplet Spectra
• ANSI/ASAE S572.1 MAR2009: Spray Nozzle Classification by Droplet Spectra
• ANSI/ASAE S572.2 JUL2018: Spray Nozzle Classification by Droplet Spectra
• All these standards are compliant with the new 2,4-D instructions as they define droplet spectrum categories for the classification of spray nozzles, relative to specified reference nozzles."

Here is the link to their Tech Note, last upgraded in October 2019 https://apvma.gov.au/node/15581

The main implication of this in regards to ISO 25358, applying to atomisers which may include commercial air injection systems. In such cases, enquiries ought to be made with the manufacturer to seek a statement regarding compliance.

Another new development for 2020 relates to booms not capable of operating at 500 mm or less from the target or crop canopy.

NEW for 2020

A special permit has been issued to Nufarm by the APVMA for certain specific 2,4-D products named in the Permit.

The permit allows these products to be used under the following circumstances.

• Use ONLY with equipment that are not capable of delivering 0.5m release height above the target.
• Use ONLY up to a maximum 0.85 metres from the ground with an ULTRA COARSE spray droplet.

Note that the APVMA specifies in PER 87174;

• boom heights 0.5 metres or lower above the target canopy (The higher of either the crop canopy or the targeted weeds)

The importance of record keeping.

Detailed records will be required to be kept with information including nozzle brand, size, rate/ha and spray pressure to be recorded to prove compliance.

In addition to the basic VC requirement, it is further "advised" between October 1st and April 15th for "summer spraying" in cereals, pasture and fallow situations, that XC/UC Spray Quality be used. The "advisory" section, is "recommended best practice" and although not mandatory, ought to be the option followed if in doubt.

In order to be compliant with the new rules, and/or to implement best practice according to the “advisory”, a re-think about nozzle selection will be required.

Three Tiered Systems

Pretty much the standard kit of 015/02 nozzles in either COARSE or COARSE/MEDIUM is what would have been found on most machines prior to last years changes and is still usually what is supplied on new equipment leaving the manufacturer if not bare.

With the ARAG/ASJ Spray-Jet nozzles, VC can be achieved with the Compact Fan Air ULTRA in any of 01, 015 or 02 nozzles on either tier by operating at 4 BAR or less.

For any of you buying and setting up a new 3TS sprayer, we've put a nozzle SET together for you to cover compliance for COARSE and VERY COARSE across the full spectrum of rates and speeds.

For XC application on your existing 3TS, replace one tier with an ASJ Twin Fan Air of appropriate size and operate one tier only on 50cm.

Single line 25cm spacing

Similar to the 3TS, you may have all 015’s or a mixture 01/015’s, 015/02 etc. but on a single line. Again, choose a suitable combination of CFA ULTRA’s operating at 4 BAR or less for your VC compliance.

The added benefit with the CFA ULTRA’s is that they may be operated above 4.5 BAR to achieve COARSE Spray Quality, when 2,4-D is not in use.

For XC application, select a suitable Twin Fan Air on 50cm and turn off or blank cap the rest.

Single line 50 cm spacing

For VC use the Compact Fan Air Tilt (CFAT) in size 025 and above up to 4BAR, Compact Fan Air ULTRA (CFAU) in size 02 up to 4 BAR or the CFAU 03 up to 7 BAR. For XC use the Twin Fan Air.

Single line 38cm spacing

For VC, Use Fan Air Ceramic, AFC11002's (or 03’s) up to 4BAR, CFA ULTRA 02 up to 4BAR or 03 up to 6BAR. For XC, I'm suggesting the Twin Fan Air again.

Pulse Width Modulated Sprayers

For VC, use the Twin Fan Low Drift, TFLD02 on 25cm. For XC use the Twin Fan Low Drift, TFLD 04 or 05 on 50cm.

Summary

Nozzle selection may require some compromise in terms of rates and speeds, what's NOT up for compromise is the Spray Quality. Operators electing to follow the advisory, may find it convenient to move to 50cm spacings, with a quick nozzle change for specific jobs.

I have outlined some simple choices from within our ARAG/ASJ Spray-Jet product range that can be used to achieve VC Spray Quality and still offer the ability to go COARSE when 2,4-D is not in the mix. That along with a purposed set of XC nozzles on 50cm (in our case the Twin Fan Air, or Twin Fan Low Drift for PWM sprayers), you're likely to have have everything covered with compliance and efficacy.

MOST Important

This document is as close as I can get it to a practical easy to follow guide as its relates to the ARAG/ASJ Spray-Jet 2,4-D compliant spray nozzles we sell. Please read the label of the product you are using very carefully, as that is the defining legal document governing it's use.

All of the nozzles I have referred to above and their relevant technical specifications may be found at our website at https://fantasticnozzles.com.au

Regards,

Dave Young - 08 6102 5886

Fantastic Nozzles | NOZZLES.ONLINE