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“If you can’t measure it, you can’t improve it”. While the source is nebulous (Peter Drucker, Lord Kelvin, or Antoine-Augustin Cournot), the sentiment is clear. The status quo In the world of crop protection, considerable resources are expended to distribute a pesticide over a target. And yet, sprayer operational settings and spray coverage are rarely […]
Read More… from Wanted: A new technology for assessing spray coverage (The Spray Doctor – Part 1)
Introduction Investing in an optical sprayer for horticulture is not a straightforward financial decision. Compared with a conventional boom sprayer, the upfront capital cost is substantially higher, often by an order of magnitude, and most commercial systems require an annual software or service subscription to operate. Despite these barriers, adoption is accelerating, and many growers […]
Read More… from Evaluating the return on investment of optical sprayers for horticulture
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 I decided the contrast, and confession, would be a fun way to set the scene for a discussion about an excellent niche sprayer. Failed Attempts First, the ill-fated “Hops Sprayer”. We […]
Read More… from The Micothon M2 – The benefit of air-assist spraying in a vegetable greenhouse
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 my job is to research and teach efficient, effective and safe crop protection practices, so it follows that I have to be able to evaluate the quality of a spray application. […]
Read More… from Comparing Fluorescent Dyes for Spray Coverage Evaluation
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 latest machines incorporate computer vision and processing capabilities that can distinguish between different types of weeds and crops based on multiple adjustable criteria. The Swiss-made ARA Sprayer by Ecorobotix, has recently […]