Peak bodies for the South Australian wine and grain industries have joined forces to issue farmers a warning about risky summer spraying practices.
With recent summer rainfall prompting a rise in spraying to clean cropping paddocks of weeds, Grain Producers SA and the Wine Grape Council of SA say they are "putting wrongdoers on notice".
All primary producers, from grain and grape growers, to spray contractors and landholders, are being reminded not to spray during hazardous inversion conditions.
Hazardous inversions can lead to spray damage several kilometres off target.
Reminding chemical applicators of their responsibilities has been a focus for grain bodies nationwide this summer, while in SA PIRSA recently announced random auditing of spray records and increased monitoring of spraying activities during hazardous inversions.
GPSA chief executive officer Brad Perry says the advocacy group is still lobbying for more spraying surveillance.
"The majority of farmers do the right thing but it's those who continue to deliberately flout the law that are impacting on people's livelihoods and communities," he said.
"GPSA is reminding farmers that awareness around spray drift is heightened like never before and those not doing the right thing must understand the consequences with spraying when the conditions aren't right.
"We thank PIRSA for accepting our calls to implement random spray record audits, but we also need more surveillance on the ground to identify and act on the practices of any wrongdoers."
WGCSA has joined the crusade, with chief executive officer Lisa Bennier saying technology had made it simple for farmers to monitor hazardous inversion conditions.
She said they could be monitored in real time through the state's expanding mesonet network.
"If you're a primary producer applying chemicals, you should be following the label and if you are not, there's really no excuse and you should be prosecuted," Ms Bennier said.
"All primary producers have a responsibility to keep their sprays in their paddock and in doing so protect the environment and human health.
"It's not just fellow farmers that are impacted by spray drift, there are widespread consequences, including for communities."
