Agriculture has played a crucial role in the development of human civilisation. The advancement of our technology and expansion of our frontiers took place because most of the population had ample food to eat. Today, food production is as extensive as it is diverse. In  2021, 61 million tonnes of cereal and broadacre crops were produced in Australia alone.

None of that would have been possible without the use of appropriate chemicals. Fertilisers and pesticides, in tandem with hybrid crops, have helped farmers maximise their growing capabilities. However, several of these chemicals pose a massive threat to the crops or those working the fields without proper care and handling.

In light of that, this guide will tell you everything about the types of chemicals used on a farm, how to safely use them, and the benefits you can reap from a chemical safety training certificate.

Types of Chemicals Present on a Regular Farm

Several chemicals help farmers ensure healthy crop growth and protect the farm from pests. These include the following:

Fertilisers

Fertilisers help supply the necessary nutrients to the soil, enabling swift growth and high crop yield. These are primarily used before the sowing season, although some crops require fertiliser dispersal in periodic batches.

Fertilisers can be either organic (formed from recycled waste components of old crops) or inorganic (artificially synthesised). Organic fertilisers can be much safer to use if sourced correctly and don’t harm the environment. On the other hand, inorganic fertilisers get absorbed by the soil quickly and don’t require high quantities. Some common examples are ammonium nitrate, potassium sulphate, and calcium nitrate.

Weedicides/Herbicides

Not all plants on agricultural land are desirable. Some weeds can absorb water and nutrients intended for the crops, letting your hard work go to waste. DEPI estimates that unchecked weed growth contributes to AUD 2.5 billion in food losses for Australia alone.

You can eliminate such plants by using a suitable herbicide that inhibits weed growth without harming the crops. Chemicals such as glyphosate and atrazine can target specific weeds by inhibiting photosynthesis and cell growth. Other chemicals, such as triclopyr, also help control weed growth without hurting the water table by halting root growth.

Insecticides

Swarms of locusts are a recurring nightmare for many Australian farmers who shed their sweat for their latest crop batch. Insects can not only consume the nutritious part of the crops but also damage the stalk to ruin any chance of renewing the growth.

You can use insecticides such as Dursban and fipronil to keep those pesky buggers away from your crops. These chemicals disrupt the bodily functions of insects, particularly those related to respiration and reproduction.

Fungicides

Sometimes, you must protect your crops from microorganisms that are difficult to spot with the naked eye. They only notice when many crop samples have spores that disperse the fungus to other pieces.

Using fungicides to counter such threats would be best without causing substantial damage to the crop itself. Benzene-based compounds such as hexachlorobenzene are often used to protect crops against fungal infections. Alternatively, many farmers go for more organic compounds, like benomyl and metalaxyl, that are much safer to use.

Soil Fumigants

Keeping track of multiple dispersal agents can become tedious. You can’t spread all the chemicals over the crops at once. It takes some time for the soil to recover from the side effects. Instead, you can use soil fumigants to ease some of the pressure.

Unlike other chemicals that need absorption, soil fumigants can disperse quickly as gases, getting rid of most pests in the process. This function makes them perfect for high-value crops sensitive to chemical damage.

Fuels

If you have a large farm, you probably have some powered equipment that runs on diesel or gasoline. You can't drive it all the way to a servo every time you need to refill. Your fuel tanks should be kept in a safe, easy to access area. 

Veterinary Medicines

You don't want to leave the animals on your farm deprived of necessary medications. Accidents can happen out of nowhere, and you may need to bandage a working dog’s leg after pulling all the sheep into the pen. In addition to bandages, you should keep a stock of antibiotics and anti-flea sprays close by.

Although, you should be careful with that stash of meds. In careless hands, they can prove harmful when ingested or spilt onto the skin. Veterinary antiseptics are usually more corrosive than regular variants due to more potent disinfectants.

Potential Hazards from Volatile Agricultural Chemicals

With all the scenarios described above, chemical safety becomes a vital issue for a farm of any size. If you’ve ever completed a farm chemical users course, you can understand the various risks you’re taking up by not being careful around agricultural chemicals.

Some of the most potential hazards include:

Danger to the Crops and the Environment

Excessive use of fertilisers and pesticides is a recipe for environmental disaster. If you don't weigh the requirements accurately, you can damage the crops in addition to the organisms harming them. Also, many pests tend to develop immunity against specific chemicals. So, you risk degrading the soil without the desired effects if you don't choose the right pesticide.

Fire hazards are also a significant problem to consider. Most pesticides are flammable, which means a single spark can make the whole farm go up in flames within hours. It is also why you should keep your fuel storage secure.

Harmful to Humans

Several of the chemicals used on a farm can cause severe medical issues in humans. Young children or pregnant women around the estate are especially vulnerable. Some of the most widespread symptoms include:

• Headache
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhoea
• Muscle twitching
• Skin rashes/irritation
• Dizziness
• Temporary blindness
• Chemical burns

Long-term exposure to pesticides can cause even more detrimental effects on people. They have been clinically diagnosed with nervous system disorders, liver and kidney diseases, congenital disabilities, and an increased risk for cancer.

Legal Repercussions

The government of Queensland is strict with applying the required laws regarding agricultural chemicals. A chemical handling certificate is a must for every hand managing a volatile agent on a farm. Moreover, those distributing chemicals, even on a small scale, require a valid licence.

Failure to do any of the above warrants a hefty charge from EPA and DEPI representatives in your area. The Agricultural Chemical Distribution Control (ACDC) Act punishes any violators with ten penalty points. Currently, that attracts a fine of up to AUD 5,000 and might include some jail time.

How to Safely Store and Apply Farm Chemicals

You can take numerous steps to ensure the safe storage, transport, and use of farm chemicals. They can help you reduce the risk of an accident and earn you a few brownie points with the authorities. You can find the tried and tested ones mentioned below:

Personnel Training

The people who handle the chemicals are always the first line of defence against a hazard. You must ensure they have a chemical safety training certificate before letting them anywhere near a herbicide.

An added measure you can take is the documentation of each chemical resource at your disposal. From fuel reserves to the time of spraying, each record helps to plan ahead with other agricultural tasks such as irrigation and mulching.

Storage

You should note that Australian law prohibits storing volatile chemical agents without a Safety Data Sheet (SDS) and label. It should have the necessary information clearly labelled, such as the registered application of the chemical and components involved. It would help to store them away from residences yet still close enough to obtain them conveniently when required.

Avoid small bottles in favour of large, seal-tight containers when storing the chemicals. Make sure no two chemicals are stored side-by-side, which might trigger an undesirable reaction. Furthermore, you should keep the chemicals as far away from a heat source as possible.

Transport

Those with a chemical handling certificate know the risks of transporting volatile agents. Not securing the load can lead to spillages that can prove more dangerous on public roads. Stow the chemicals away from food, water, animal feeds, and fertilisers. When taking stock from a distributor, have a concise and accurate record of all the chemicals you're transporting.

Don't ditch your protective gear once you've loaded the chemicals because you might have to adjust the cargo en route. Even if you have plenty of vacant passenger space, always store the chemicals in the cargo compartment.

Application

No matter how menial the task may seem, you must not allow someone without a valid chemical safety training certificate to spray the chemicals on the field. They should know how to properly wear all the protective gear and calibrate the requisite equipment before commencing the task at hand.

Manufacturers have a designated protocol for the application of all their chemicals. It is determined via thorough testing, so it is vital to follow the instructions. You can utilise decanting kits to reduce spilling or splashing during dispersal. It assists with avoiding non-targeted flora and fauna for the chemicals in use.

Summing Up

The challenge of applying farm chemicals with adequate safety is massive, especially when you might have other chores to attend to. With the appropriate training and certification, you can rest easy knowing that your staff can carry out the assigned jobs with minimal risks.

That is why it is essential to provide each of them with a valid chemical safety training certificate. You need not do it yourself, either. A reputed firm with decades of experience in the field can do it for you.

At Countryco., we can deliver an inclusive and cost-effective training course for all your employees at a schedule convenient for you. Contact us at Countryco. to learn more about chemical safety!