01/10/2026

Summer weed control remains one of the most important investments Australian grain growers can make to protect valuable soil moisture ahead of the next cropping season. In low rainfall environments, every milliliter of conserved moisture counts, making the effectiveness of the first summer spray critical. 

According to South Australian agronomist Mick Sparnon from Nutrien Pinnaroo, Nufarm's DROPZONE® has delivered excellent results across a range of farming operations in the Mallee region. 

After introducing the product to growers during summer weed-control programs, Mick saw widespread adoption, with almost 15 growers incorporating DROPZONE into their spray programs. 

"We're very moisture conservation minded in our region," Mick explains. "Normally we'd conduct two to two-and-a-half summer sprays a year, but in a dry season that can reduce to around one-and-a-half. That makes the first spray application extremely important." 

The positive results seen in the Mallee are echoed further east in southern New South Wales, where dryland agronomist Craig Warren from Nutrien Temora has been using DROPZONE for over four years across challenging summer weed control situations. 

"I've been using DROPZONE over the last four to five years and we do see lower drift and better deposition onto the weeds we're trying to kill, such as larger sowthistle, prickly lettuce and Roundup tolerant canola," Craig says. 

DROPZONE has been used alongside glyphosate products in tank mixes, with agronomists reporting strong compatibility and consistent weed control outcomes. Craig says one of the standout benefits has been the product's performance during summer spraying programs. 

"When I've used DROPZONE during the summer, one of the biggest benefits I see is the speed of brown out on these harder-to-kill weeds," he says.

Mick has also observed strong control of key broadleaf weeds, including sowthistle and skeleton weed, with growers appreciating the product's efficacy and versatility across both cropping and pasture situations. 

Combined with its low-drift characteristics, reduced odour profile and suitability for a range of application methods, DROPZONE continues to gain support among growers looking to maximise the return from every summer spray pass. For agronomists such as Mick and Craig, improved droplet optimisation, reliable weed control and strong overall performance make DROPZONE a valuable tool in modern weed management programs.

*DISCLAIMER:

The information provided in this article is intended as a guide only. Information contained in this article has been provided by the manufacturer/ You should not rely on the information in this article, and it should not be considered advice. You should seek professional advice regarding relevant factors specific to your situation. This article does not take into account variable conditions that may impact performance. Always read and follow label directions before using any product in this article. To the maximum extent permitted by law, Nutrien Ag Solutions Limited and its related associated entities will not be liable for any loss or damage suffered by any person arising out of any reliance on any information contained in this article.