Agricultural and veterinary chemicals
Agricultural chemicals
The use of chemicals is integral to agricultural production systems. Farm or rural chemicals cover agricultural chemicals or pesticides as well as veterinary medicines. In 1986, it was estimated that $75 million worth of chemicals were sold annually in South Australia resulting in increased production in the order of $300 to $600 m. Moreover, chemicals provide employment to many people in rural areas, including retailers, sprayers, crop protection consultants, veterinarians etc.
More information about Agricultural chemicals
Spray drift
More than 90 percent of Australia’s winter field crops are now grown using “conservation tillage” techniques. Much of the weed control that used to be achieved by mechanical cultivation is now achieved by herbicides. Conservation tillage provides substantial agronomic benefits including reduced soil erosion, improved soil structure, higher soil organic matter, higher soil moisture retention and the opportunity for earlier sowing. However, the higher reliance on herbicides is not without problems, including changes in the weed spectrum and the development of herbicide resistance in weeds.