Variety is Spice of Life for Bay of Plenty Contractor

Bay of Plenty spray contractor Errol Jefferson certainly has plenty of variety in his job. One day he can be spot spraying gorse at the back of a hill country sheep and cattle farm, the next he is spraying a commercial tomato crop.

Based from Tauranga, Errol runs Bay of Plenty Weed Control and is a veteran of 24 years in the chemical application business.

In a region famed for its diversity, his clients include drystock farmers, dairy farmers, maize growers, orchardists and vegetable producers. He also performs weed control on school grounds, sports fields and parks, and reserves.

Errol, a registered chemical applicator, estimates he uses around 150 different chemical products a year. "You can use thirty different products on a tomato crop alone."

As well as a sound knowledge of specialist chemicals, his job requires a high degree of care. "There are a lot of crops around here that are very sensitive to chemicals so you've always got to be on the lookout for spray drift."

And the weather in the region can change quickly. Sudden rainfall or wind gusts can make life very difficult for a contractor. Errol says good weather conditions are crucial for a safe and effective weed kill.

The other vital ingredient is a good chemical that is mixed and applied correctly. This is especially important in the case of gorse and broom control.

"You've got to get around all sides of the weed to achieve a total kill," says Errol, who sprays gorse and broom on properties ranging from lifestyle blocks to large commercial farms.

He says Tordon* Brushkiller XT is one of his most commonly used chemicals because it is a reliable and versatile herbicide.

"As well as gorse and broom, I also use it for blackberry, woolly nightshade and honeysuckle. And it's excellent for controlling weeds like ragwort, flatweeds and thistles that tend to surround these plants."

Tordon is grass-safe and Errol says this is an important quality. "It will kill off broadleaf weeds but leave the grass to grow through the dead weed material and this prevents weed regrowth."

He prefers to do much of the brushkiller work in winter when clover is dormant. "Spraying in spring will knock the clover but it bounces back fairly quickly."

"Some farmers don't believe the gorse will die if sprayed in winter but two to three months later they will ring me up and say how pleased they are with the results."

Errol says he expects a kill of at least 99 percent when using Tordon Brushkiller XT. "It's a bit dearer than some other products, but the end results speak for themselves."

He suggests his clients leave sprayed gorse and broom for three months before cutting or crushing it. He doesn't recommend burning because it allows weed regeneration.

"I use a penetrant (Boost*) with Tordon because it helps to speed up plant break down. It also gives you some protection if it rains soon after you've sprayed."

Errol says Tordon is an easy product to use and the technical support offered by Dow AgroSciences is first class.

"I know I can call my rep whenever I need him. He's got a good technical knowledge and I trust his advice."