FARMERS are having to come to grips with new spraying regulations and technology.

Buffer zones, the effect of surface inversions on spraying programs and herbicide resistance in weeds are just a few of the issues farmers and their consultants have to be more aware of now than years ago.

International and local speakers will inform farm advisers on these and other issues at the Grains Research and Development Corporation research update in Ballarat next month.

Key among these is Jim Orson, a specialist adviser with the Arable Group, part of the National Institute of Agricultural Botany in Britain.

Mr Orson, who spoke at the GRDC update in 2003, will talk on the British experience with buffer zones and other spray regulations.

He is a member of numerous British government and European advisory groups relating to pesticides, weed resistance and genetically modified crops.

He is now vice-chairman of the British Crop Production Council.

Meteorologist Graeme Tepper will speak on surface temperature inversions - the invisible phenomenon that can cause chemicals to drift large distances from one property to another, potentially resulting in environmental damage.

Mr Tepper formerly worked for the Bureau of Meteorology but now operates consultancy MicroMeteorology Research and Educational Services.

Surface temperature inversions occur overnight when the ground and low-level air layers above cool.

Chemical particles can get trapped under the impenetrable air layer and travel long distances when winds blow up.

The University of Adelaide's Chris Preston will speak on getting the best results from pre-emergent herbicides.

Dr Preston has long monitored herbicide resistance to weeds in Victoria and SA.

Australia has one of the fastest development rates in the world of herbicide resistance in weeds.

Canadian Dr Linda Hall has worked on herbicide-resistant weeds and development of new crop traits. She is an associate professor at the University of Alberta, will talk on weed management in herbicide-tolerant crops.

The GRDC adviser update will be held at the Mercure Hotel and Convention Centre in Ballarat on February 14-15.

Bookings can be made online at www.orm.com.au.