THE growing mass of 2,4-D drift affected cotton growers who have simply “had enough” now have an added voice – leading Wee Waa operator, Paul Swansbra.
The experienced irrigator and owner of Wee Waa’s “Lammemoor” has decided to step forward and do whatever is required at a local level to help address this critical issue, affecting an increasingly edgy mob.
In the growing season just gone he suffered a massive hit from 2,4-D drift, and to put it mildly, is very frustrated.
“The worst thing about all this is that it’s an entirely preventable situation,” Mr Swansbra said.
“After the outstanding growing conditions in the past cotton season, and all the rain, we expected no less than a five-bale average.”
It was all set up for the perfect season before “Lammemoor” was hit.
The entire 243-hectare crop suffered phenoxy-herbicide drift damage, with some areas suffering more than others.
About 1200 bales were affected on two of the family operation’s three properties – an enormous figure that could easily cripple a smaller operation.
“So instead of realising the full potential of the crop we could have grown, we have dropped from five bales an acre (12.3 bales/ha) to less than 2.3 (5.6 bales/ha) in some cases.”
Mr Swansbra said “Lammemoor” had taken three hits in as many months.
“It is just unbelievable.
“The worst-affected cotton is resulting in a reduction in turnout (the percentage of cotton lint versus trash and seed) from about 40pc to less than 35pc,” he said.
“Surprisingly, and fortunately for us, the quality wasn’t too badly affected. We’re seeing base-grade, or better.”
Mr Swansbra believes when it comes to drift issues there is more going on than just the 2,4-D story.
“There are any number of herbicides which – if applied incorrectly – will have negative impacts on neighboring properties,” he said.
“Given the high summer rainfall events across the North West, there was a higher-than-normal number of spray applications going on by both cotton and cereal growers. That was to be expected.”
“But this incorrect use of product, if it goes on like this, is eventually going to culminate in a mess of legalities.
“Another problem the industry has is the sheer lack of labor. There are blokes out there having to grab whatever rig is available and go around the clock.
“With the pace they’re going at – through no real fault of their own – something’s bound to give.
“But it’s good to see the growers around Warren, or on the Downs – who had the very same problems going on – have successfully managed to eliminate the drift issue.
Mr Swansbra said he was not against the product “we are just opposed to the damage”.
In an effort to do what they can to quickly facilitate some solutions, the Swansbras are planning to host an on-farm spray workshop run by well-known spray-application expert, Bill Gordon.
Swansbra Pastoral Company is an intensively family-focused operation, with Paul, his three siblings, and Paul and wife Lissa’s two sons, now actively involved in the business as well.
The three family-run North West properties, “Lammemoor”, “Kerribee” and “Kooragamma”, are all fully irrigated – and planted 95pc to cotton.
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