What is hydrogen cyanamide or Hi-Cane?
Hydrogen cyanamide or Hi-Cane is an agrichemical. It promotes uniform growth of shoots ‘budbreak’ and flowering of kiwifruit.
Hydrogen cyanamide has hazardous properties, but it is safe for the community and the environment when the rules to use it are followed. Some of the rules include:
- it can only be used once a year (in late winter July-September)
- it cannot be used within certain distances of roads or boundaries (buffer zones) to protect bystanders, the aquatic environment and non-target plants
- it cannot be applied in windy conditions
- sprayers must use nozzles that make droplets bigger and heavier to reduce spray drift
- sprayers must be trained and wear personal protective equipment
- spray drift must not leave the orchard property.
Make a complaint about Hi-Cane spray
Spray complaint hotline: 0800 232 505
Anyone can make a complaint. The health and safety of the community and environment is of utmost importance, so we encourage the community to report concerns that rules aren’t being followed.
