Severn Trent is inviting farmers to learn about improving spray efficiencies in a series of virtual workshops this December and next January and February, where they will receive a free set of low drift spray nozzles upon completion of the session.
The Swap Your Nozzles workshops provide farmers in priority catchments with an opportunity to boost their knowledge on how to reduce spray drift and minimise the risk of pesticides reaching watercourses.
Dr Alex Cooke, Severn Trent principal catchment scientist, explains that following each training session, attendees will be offered a choice of fully funded LERAP 3* or 4* nozzles and caps from a predefined list of options.
“Attendees can also register for one NRoSO and two BASIS CPD points,” she says.
Wide variety of topics
Each event will cover topics from legislation, Local Environment Risk Assessments for Pesticides (LERAP) and buffer zones, through to choosing a nozzle and application considerations.
“These events are a fantastic opportunity to provide support and engage with farmers. The aim is for delegates to walk away with tools to not only improve spray efficiency, but also improve farm profitability,” says Dr Cooke.
She explains that while spray drift is just one way in which pesticides can reach watercourses, it is one of the easiest ways for farmers to protect water while reaping the rewards of reduced input costs.
“Using low drift nozzles can also open up the spray window, meaning applications could be made where conditions may not be appropriate with standard nozzles,” adds Dr Cooke.
The training is available to all farmers in Severn Trent pesticide priority catchments, who are being urged to sign up soon, as spaces are limited. The workshops will take place on the following dates:
- Thursday December 8th 2022
- Friday 13th January 2023
- Tuesday 24th January 2023
- Friday 24th February 2023
To sign up, please book by clicking the link here
You’ll need to provide the following information:
- Event date on which you wish to book
- Name, farm address and phone number
- The Severn Trent water catchment you farm in – visit here to check which catchment you are in
- Maps of the fields you spray
- Area of arable and grassland being sprayed within the catchment
- A copy of a valid NSTS certificate for your sprayer
For more information, or if you are unsure whether you are in a priority catchment, please contact your local Severn Trent agricultural adviser or visit: www.stwater.co.uk/about-us/environment/catchment-management.
Selection of low drift nozzles available:
- Billericay Bubblejet/ExRay XC
- Lechler ID3
- Lechler IDTA
- Teejet Turbo Twinjett AITT
- Teejet Turbo Induction TTI
- Syngenta 3D ninety
