Chemicals

Many primary producers in Western Australia rely on chemicals to protect their agricultural enterprises from pests, weeds and diseases. Chemicals provide many benefits to primary production but must be used responsibly to minimise the adverse effects associated with their use.

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development in conjunction with other state departments and federal authorities regulates the use of agricultural and veterinary chemicals to minimise risks to human health, the environment, animal welfare and trade.

Details about agricultural and veterinary chemical products registered for use in Western Australia can be sourced through the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority.

Articles

  • The term 'residual' applies to a number of herbicides that have a long lasting activity in the soil. These herbicides are often applied directly to the soil prior to planting crops, pre-emergent.

  • Spray-topping is a very effective method for managing annual grass seed set in pastures.

  • 'Crop-topping' is the late application of herbicides to prevent weed seed-set.

  • Windmill grass (Chloris truncata) is a native species and is the tenth most common summer weed species in the Western Australian wheatbelt.

  • Annual ryegrass (Lolium rigidum) is one of the most serious and costly weeds of annual winter cropping systems in southern Australia.

  • Herbicides play a vital role in integrated weed management programs.

  • Hyssop loosestrife (Lythrum hyssopifolia) is a widely distributed weed in the south west of Western Australia.

  • Summer weeds can rob subsequent crops of soil nitrogen and stored soil water. They can also reduce crop emergence by causing physical and/or chemical interference at seeding time.

  • Herbicides can be applied by a variety of means including boom sprayers, aerial spraying, misters, blanket wipers, rope wick applicators, weed seekers and back-pack sprayers.

  • Options for control of winter broad leaved weeds, in pastures, is a common inquiry. A fairly reliable method is spray grazing.