Sprayers101 Archive
Search our archive of expert-written, data-driven analysis of spraying techniques, equipment, strategies, and more.
Exploding Sprayer Myths (ep.15): Where will it land?
Celebrating 10 years of “thinking we’re funny”, Exploding Sprayer Myths is back with a new opening sequence! Join cheesy game show host Wink Boomwobbly…
The Micothon M2 – The Benefit of Air-assist Spraying in a Vegetable Greenhouse
I’ve experienced a few spectacular failures trying to build niche sprayers. Until now, I haven’t had a reason to write much about them. But…
Canada Gazette Part II – Recent and upcoming changes to Canadian rules for operating RPAS
Editor’s Note: This article was posted in June 2025, and as of November 4th all rules have now come into effect. Summary The Government…
Exploring the Accuracy of Drone-Applied Herbicide Treatments
Author’s note: Minor edits were made to this article on December 12, 2025. While the results remain unchanged, aspects of the interpretation have been…
Comparing Fluorescent Dyes for Spray Coverage Evaluation
I work in agricultural extension and I’m always on the lookout for new methods to help me achieve my goals. A big part of…
DJI Agras T100 – First Impressions
On July 15, 2025, DJI Agriculture announced the global launch of the DJI Agras T100. Compared to its predecessor, the T50, it features a…
Ecorobotix’s ARA Sprayer: A targeted sprayer that’s finding its place in Ontario vegetable fields
Targeted spraying is a technology that enables the site-specific application of plant protection products and liquid fertilizers based on sensor readings. Some of the…
Circulating Spray Mix Through a Tank-Rinse Nozzle Maintains Nematode Concentration
This article was co-written with Jennifer Llewellyn, former OMAFA Nursery Crop Specialist With more and more bio-rational products on the market, crop protection methods…
Strainers (aka Filters)
The level of filtration required for any given spray operation depends on the materials sprayed and the nuisance factor: That is, the balance between…
Nozzle Selection for See & Spray Select Spot Sprayers
Spot sprays are becoming mainstream. As of 2024, John Deere’s See & Spray Select, their Green-on-Brown technology, is selling well in western Canada but…
Why are my Airblast Nozzles Plugging?
This article was inspired by the following email: “I’m an organic apple grower with constant nozzle-clogging problems. These problems occur when we use wettable…
Characterizing RPAS Coverage at Four Cardinal Points on a Vertical Plane: Practical implications for spraying wheat at T3
Global research into Remotely Piloted Aerial Systems (RPAS) is producing pesticide residue, drift and efficacy data that is helping to inform federal regulatory policy.…
Celebrating 10 Years of Sprayers101
On May 29, 2015, we launched www.sprayers101.com. Actually, that date is practically correct, but not technically correct. To celebrate our anniversary, I thought I’d…
Closed Transfer for Airblast Sprayers – A Learning Process
As Canadian farmers begin to adopt closed transfer systems (CTS), growing pains are to be expected. Instructions for installation and use are primarily European…
Fungicides and Integrated Pest Management – An Apple Scab Case Study
Editor’s note: This article originally appeared in the Winter, 2025 ONCore newsletter (Volume 29, Issue 1). We thought it was an excellent description of…
Alternate Row Spraying
Alternate Row (aka Alternate Row Middle [ARM]) spraying is an application method where the air-assist sprayer does not pass down every alley during an…
Airblast Spraying in Poor Conditions
Some springs are tougher than others. This article was originally written in 2019, which was particularly challenging. The frequency and duration of rain events…
Optimizing a Greenhouse Vegetable Sprayer
In April 2025 we visited Cedarline Greenhouses to assess their spraying methods. Our hosts invited us to examine their practices and then graciously agreed…
Sprayer Cleanout and Cleaner Selection
Editor’s Note: Changes have been made to this article since its original publication in 2015. When in-crop spraying is around the corner, sprayer tank…
The Real Story behind pH and Water Hardness
Editor’s Note: Changes and updates have been made to this article since its original publication in 2019. The quality of water being used in…
Drone Spraying in Canadian Agriculture (up to 2024)
Note: There have been updates to Canadian regulations governing drones since this article was written. For updates, please refer to this article. Introduction In…
Adjusting Orchard Airblast Sprayers for Spring
For those on the fly, hit play to hear a shortened, narrated version. I have far too many photos and videos of airblast sprayers…
Airblast Spring Start-up and Winterizing
Any description of airblast sprayer start-up must, contextually, make assumptions on how it was winterized for long-term storage. This cyclic relationship is why I…
Stan and Blade’s Drone Emporium
In this parody of SCTV’s Tex and Edna Boil we have some tongue-in-cheek fun while reminding people to maintain a healthy skepticism when reading…
A Strange Case of Herbicide Injury in Grape
In the summer of 2024, six Ontario vineyards participated in an authorized herbicide trial. The objective was to assess efficacy as well as determine…