Background
Spray applications represent an important cost to grain growers. Previously there were no quantitative procedures available to estimate efficacy and performance. Simply because a crop was sprayed with an insecticide does not mean the infestation problem was solved. In fact, ineffective treatments can exacerbate growers’ problems in the long term through selection for resistance.
Often during spray applications weather scenarios can have negative impacts on spray applications that can lead to almost zero spray deposition — so why waste the resources?
There is also a need for growers to audit the quality of spray applications conducted by contracted spray applicators – were corners missed? Were spray applications conducted according to expected standards?
In short, we need to have a better understanding of how variables, especially weather variables, affect spray coverage. Then we can ensure spray applications are conducted under the most suitable conditions and are as effective as possible.
SnapCard provides growers with access to a valuable decision support tool that can be used in two important ways:
It will predict spray coverage based on “current” conditions; time of day, tractor speed, spray nozzles, spray volume, boom height, adjuvants, and weather conditions
SnapCard compares obtained spray coverage, measured by water sensitive spray cards, with “expected” spray coverage based on agronomic variables, weather conditions, and spray settings.
SnapCard was developed by The University of Western Australia and the Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia and will enable growers to predict spray coverage based on agronomic variables, weather conditions, and spray settings. You will be able to quantify and interpret obtained spray coverage giving you better pest control, reduced risk of pesticide resistance development and optimisation of spray application costs by introducing an auditable quality control procedure. Please login to the SnapCard application website for download and account creation instructions.