Sprayers101 Archive
Search our archive of expert-written, data-driven analysis of spraying techniques, equipment, strategies, and more.
Nozzle Choice in Vegetable Crops – an Australian Perspective
Editor’s Note: Any brand-specific references or recommendations in this article are based on the author’s experience. Sprayers101 endeavours to preserve brand independence and impartiality…
Grandpa used pesticides on my property 50 years ago. Should I be concerned about contamination of my well?
Occasionally, I receive a question or concern about impacts from the previous use of pesticides on a property. These concerns could be categorized as…
Closed Transfer Systems – They’re here.
Closed Transfer Systems (CTS) permit the direct transfer of pesticides from container to sprayer while isolating the process from the operator and the environment.…
Tank Mix Compatibility
Tank mixing is the practice of combining multiple registered agricultural products in the sprayer tank for application in a single pass. The Pros of…
Beluga Drop Hoses in Corn: Utility and Return on Investment
In 2019 we evaluated the spray coverage from nine application methods on corn silks. The results showed that a directed application from drop hoses…
Think Before Adding Adjuvants
It’s odd to begin an article by suggesting the reader consult another, but Dr. Tom Wolf wrote a great summary about adjuvants for SaskPulse…
RPAS Swathing in Broad Acre Crop Canopies
This work was performed with contributions from Adrian Rivard (Drone Spray Canada) and Adam Pfeffer (Bayer Crop Science – funding partner). Dr. Tom Wolf…
Fungicides with a Custom Applicator: Drive-Along Diaries #4
In this fourth installment of the Drive-Along Diaries, we’ll shift our focus a little. I’ll continue to share observations about real world spraying practices,…
Airblast Productivity and Work Rate Calculator
There are many factors that affect the work rate of an airblast application. If an operator can improve their work rate, without compromising spray…
Pre Emerge Spraying with a Custom Applicator: Drive-Along Diaries #3
It was May 16th, and I was standing at the front counter of Clean Field Services (CFS) in Drayton, Ontario, looking forward to an…
28% UAN in Winter Wheat: Drive-Along Diaries #2
I’d been pestering Dan Petker to let me come along as he and his father Paul applied 28% UAN to the winter wheat on…
Working with an Arborist: Drive-Along Diaries #1
April 23rd, 3:45 am I was excited. Today would be my first in a series of drive-along experiences with Ontario sprayer operators. However, to…
The Drive-Along Diaries: Prologue
I feel it’s important to occasionally remind myself why I do what I do, and who I’m doing it for. With that, let me…
Basic Sprayer Math Demystified
Sprayer math can be intimidating, but the effort gives solid value. When combined with a calibrated sprayer you reap the following benefits: There are…
Nitrogen Application Technology in Winter Wheat
With an ever growing selection of options for nozzles and streamer bars, many growers are asking the question, what should I outfit my sprayer…
What’s a Ramsay Valve?
This article has been modified with kind permission from an article on Retrofit Parts. Liquid pressure in an agricultural sprayer must be controlled so…
Exploring Spray Drones in Soybean
White mould is caused by the fungus Sclerotinia sclerotiorum and it’s an annual threat to soybean when cool, wet conditions correspond with flowering. Variety…
How to Succeed with a Soil Drench Application in Strawberries
In 2016, Ontario berry growers were surveyed to determine the typical spray volume they used to apply unspecified crop protection products. For strawberry growers…
Exploding Sprayer Myths (ep.14): Maverick’s Mojo
Have you lost that loving feeling? Well here’s your chance to get it back while learning how to operate spray drones safely, effectively, and…
Insecticidal Management of Rangeland Grasshoppers using RPAS
This article summarizes a 2022 paper that can be downloaded here. Grasshoppers are an integral part of rangeland ecosystems, but population outbreaks can cause…
The Economics of Spot Sprays
At first glance, spot sprays are a no-brainer. Why spray a whole field when you can save product by spraying just the weeds? But…
Greeneye makes impressive debut
Green-on-green sprayer competes with Blue River and Bilberry One distinguishing feature of the new agriculture is the rapid development of new technologies. Ideas move…
Evaluating Wheat Head Coverage from Two New Nozzles
We’ve written extensively about angled flat fan nozzles and their ideal operating parameters (i.e. pressure, boom height, droplet size, volume and travel speed) for…
Rotary-Wing Drone Spray Coverage and Drift in Field Corn
This work was performed with Mark Ledebuhr (Application Insight LLC.), Adrian Rivard (Drone Spray Canada) and Adam Pfeffer (Bayer Crop Science – funding partner).…
Avoiding Skips from PWM Sprayers
Does this sound familiar? “This year was the first year we used a growth regulator on our wheat. After heading, we noticed a wavy…