On Farm: Spot vs. Blanket Spraying

Term: 1 year
Status: Ongoing
Researcher(s): Kayla Slind, WARC; Lana Shaw, SERF
SaskOilseeds Investment: $7320
Total Project Cost: $7320
Funding Partners: N/A

Objectives

Assess the economic viability and practicality of using spot spray technology for weed control during pre-seed herbicide applications.

1. Evaluate the effectiveness of spot spray technology in providing precise weed control.

2. Analyze the economic benefits of reduced herbicide use through spot spray technology.

2. Compare the economic outcomes of using spot spray technology versus traditional methods in relation to grain production.

Project Description

Green-on-brown spot spraying technology detects and targets weeds with herbicide before seeding, allowing for more precise pesticide applications while reducing overall herbicide use, drift, and runoff. Companies such as Weed-It and John Deere have embraced this technology, which is particularly effective for pre-burn herbicide applications by applying herbicide only to green plant material in fallow fields. This leads to savings on herbicide costs and offers environmental benefits. However, the high initial investment in this technology means that few producers currently have sprayers equipped with it. Comparing the efficiency, environmental impact, and cost-effectiveness of spot spraying versus traditional blanket spraying can help producers determine which method best suits their operations.

The advantages of spot spraying include reduced herbicide usage, cost savings, increased efficiency, improved resistance management, and greater precision and flexibility. On the other hand, disadvantages include high upfront costs, maintenance and repair expenses, technological limitations, the need for specialized training, and the risk of missing some weeds.

In contrast, blanket spraying offers benefits such as simplicity, full coverage, less reliance on technology, effectiveness in large fields, and the ability to target small weeds. However, it also comes with disadvantages like higher herbicide usage, increased risk of runoff and drift, higher labor and equipment costs, and less precision.

In conclusion, while spot spraying technology offers substantial economic and environmental benefits, its challenges may hinder widespread adoption among Saskatchewan producers.