New spot spraying upgrades enhance accuracy and control
4th September 2024
A Norfolk onion grower is delighted with his improved post-emergence weed control and reduced chemical costs.
Nordelph-based farmer Richard Gott believes the Weed Wizard – a new, intelligent spot spraying system – has enabled him to reduce his post-emergence herbicide use by over 85% whilst simultaneously improving both the growth performance and agronomic quality of his onion crop via a more targeted approach to applying agrochemical inputs.
The new spraying system, manufactured and designed by Techneat Engineering and software specialist Tillett and Hague Technology Limited, was originally launched in 2023 and is aimed at farm contractors and growers of onions, leeks and carrots.
Richard says: “I’ve been growing onions successfully for over 20 years, but post emergence weed control has become a bigger challenge recently following the withdrawal of many key actives. Another major issue is that some of the chemicals that I’ve used to control very stubborn weeds, such as volunteer potatoes and thistles, also simultaneously knock back the growth of the onion crop.
“Alternative systems, such as hand roguing, are expensive and don’t completely eliminate crop damage to the onions closest to the weeds, so the best solution has to be a spot spraying system able to differentiate the weeds from the onion plants and target them accurately with selective herbicides.”
Testing accuracy
“After hearing about the launch of the Weed Wizard last year it was a no-brainer to trial the machine on this season’s crop to test its accuracy.
“Following the trial, which began on 13th June, I saw an immediate improvement on both the accuracy of individual weed targeting and overall level of weed control that an intelligent spraying system can offer. By only targeting the weeds, the growth of the onion crop is unimpeded allowing it to reach its optimum market size as quickly as possible.
“Using very high-speed, narrow jet nozzles spaced every 100mm across the full width of the boom, the Weed Wizard’s three-camera system identifies and tracks weeds as they come into view, applying a narrow flat fan spray onto each weed as it passes under each nozzle.
“Each high-definition camera tracks a single bed and is mounted directly above the crop row giving the machine the best possible overhead view of the weed population as each crop pass is made.
“Despite not having a tech background, I found the Weed Wizard relatively easy to set up and operator friendly,” he says.
Tom Neat, managing director of Techneat Engineering, adds: “Following a rigorous amount of on-going product development and on-farm trials we have recently added several specification upgrades to the Weed Wizard which include improved nozzle development using a flat-fan, narrow angled 15-degree nozzle for better chemical to weed contact.
“The machine’s boom height can now also be raised or lowered to specifically address the weed height that is being targeted, and this height flexibility gives the droplets of chemical more time to form, ensuring more chemical reaches the weeds. The large droplets produced by the narrow flat fan nozzles have little or no drift, resulting in the Weed Wizard’s application never being negatively influenced by wind, thus negating the need for a boom cover or shield which could potentially damage the crop.
“New high-definition cameras have improved the Weed Wizard’s weed recognition and a new upgraded software package now offers the operator enhanced levels of real-time feedback on the chemical treatment of each targeted weed. An improved side-shift system also offers the operator enhanced in-field vision when tracking the crop rows and a new hydraulic folding boom ensures easier transportation of the tractor-mounted machine between fields,” continues Mr Neat.
Substantial benefits
“The overall benefits of the Weed Wizard, both economic and agronomic, in not having to spray the whole crop are substantial, enabling farmers and contractors to significantly reduce their post-emergence herbicide use on carrots, onions and leeks.
There are now various types of productivity grants available to farmers for investment in both camera guided and robotic based systems, and the Weed Wizard certainly falls into this category, so I’d definitely advise any growers interested in spot spraying technology to apply,” Mr Neat concludes.
Read more arable news
