This article summarizes a 2022 paper that can be downloaded here. Grasshoppers are an integral part of rangeland ecosystems, but population outbreaks can cause significant damage to adjacent crops and forage. For example, cattle consume about 1.5-2.5% of their body weight in forage per day, so pound for pound, a grasshopper will eat 12-20 times […]
Read More… from Insecticidal Management of Rangeland Grasshoppers using RPAS
This case study is taking place on a 15 acre highbush blueberry operation in southern Ontario. In 2016, considerable pressure from spotted-wing drosophila (SWD) prompted the growers to make changes to their crop management practices and their spray program. They employed a three-pronged approach to improving crop protection: We have been tracking pesticide use, water […]
Read More… from Crop-Adapted Spraying – A Multiyear Study in Highbush Blueberry (2023 Update)
In Canada, the use of drones for pesticide application, otherwise known as Remote Piloted Aerial Systems (RPAS), is regulated by two Federal Departments: Transport Canada establishes regulations for safe operation and Health Canada for the registration and conditions of use of pest control products. Drones are already used in Canadian agriculture for crop surveillance and […]
Read More… from The State of Drone Spraying in Canadian Agriculture (2023)
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 then the first commercial green-on-green systems introduced user fees, complicating the cost equation. Companies sell the hardware, and charge a fee for use of their detection algorithms. Currently, costs range from […]
This article was co-authored by Mick Roberts (Owner/Editor of Pro Operator Magazine) with significant contributions from Jan Langenakens (Principal at AAMS) and thanks to insightful communications with both users and manufacturers of CTS. It now includes updates from the 2023 Agritechnica Trade Fair. What is a Closed Transfer System? Closed Transfer Systems (CTS) permit the […]
Read More… from Closed Transfer Systems (Agritechnica 2023 Update)