The Spray Calculator Built for Specialty Crops
Crop applications in an orchard can be challenging. Orchard growers deserve specialized tools to make operations easier.
Blending the correct mix of Captan and Ziram into any sprayer can be challenging. There are several complicating factors that make it tricky to get a tank mix correct when working in an orchard:
Spray Tank Challenges for Tree Crops
1) Canopy Density
Traditional chemical labels and rates are devised for 2-dimensional arable crops. But when the foliage on tree crops thickens, we need to ensure we reach the point of runoff and ground area is not so important. To add to the complexity, canopy density is changing during season: dormant trees, full vigour buds and full bloom.
Spray operators need a calculation that accounts for canopy density to get the correct concentration of chemical dispersed evenly throughout the tree’s foliage. And it needs to be easy to adjust as the canopy changes throughout the season.
2) Alternate Rows
For a variety of reasons, farm managers might choose to only spray every other row when applying a treatment to specialty crops.
This is common when trees are dormant or relatively young and the amount of volume required is reduced.
3) Per Tree Application
For some treatment applications, like managing timber pests, per tree dosage is required. How can I easily calculate and manage a per tree application of chemical requirements in my field?
4) Leaf Wall Area
In several EU countries, Leaf Wall Area (LWA) is a new unit of measurement when planning treatment applications. LWA is used to improve precision for the usage of plant protection products and thereby reduce the amount of chemicals applied to fields.
Leaf Wall Area describes the area of the canopy surface per Ha ground area. It is calculated using canopy height and spacing between rows.
Leaf wall area [m²/ha ground] = spray band height [m] x 2 (both sides) x 10,000 m² / row distance [m]
New product labels for fruit farms and vineyards include application rates for LWA. The new units can either be kg / 10 000 m2 LWA or l / 10 000 m2 LWA.
Specialty Tools for Specialty Crops
Farmable is a user-friendly mobile app designed specifically for specialty crop growers.
Thanks to feedback from farm managers growing everything from apples to macadamia nuts, we have developed a spray tank calculator that accommodates for the unique challenges of tree crops.
When you plan a job in Farmable, you can easily:
- Accommodate for tree canopy density with our concentrate % adjustment slider
- Easily plan jobs where applications are applied to alternate rows
- Quickly calculate a per tree dosage
- Apply products based on kg / 10 000 m2 LWA or l / 10 000 m2 LWA.
These features are available from the Farmable mobile app, which allow farm managers to easily and precisely calculate crop treatment for trees from anywhere on the farm.
Fit for Purpose Software
Don’t suffer with software that doesn’t fit your farm.
Time is money. Using software that isn’t built for your farm leads to inefficiencies.
Matt Fealey, an experienced farm manager growing avocados, mangoes and Tahitian limes shares his experience with over-complicated, broad acres solutions in a tree crop operation.
The bottom line:
“Constantly using a tool that is a mis-fit, creates more work.”
Read more about Matt’s experience with software for tree crops.
Save time and money by finding technology that is built for the unique needs of your specialty crop farm.
