Modelling pesticide residues on greasy wool: use of farm records at the time of treatment to predict residues

Abstract

A model has been used to predict expected pesticide residues on wool at shearing after normal on-farm treatments. If wool producers keep accurate records of treatments at the time they are carried out, the model can predict the residue with greater accuracy and precision than if treatment records are less specific. The expected range is halved and the predicted residue is lower where wool producers have kept treatment records, compared with wool from previous surveys where only the usual farm information was available.

If declarations by wool producers are used to assist wool buyers who require wool with low pesticide residues, these declarations will have more value if they are supported by documentation of treatments used on the sheep.