High tech Weedseeker spraying equipment is more than paying its way for grain growers in WA's southern region, who are seeing big cost savings and better crops through improved water retention.
Weedseeker uses infrared seekers on each boomspray jet to detect green weeds, then precisely sprays them, killing the weeds while greatly reducing chemical use.
Esperance grower Phil Longmire, a Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) supported Nuffield scholarship winner, says he's significantly reduced his chemical use while controlling melons during summer spraying.
"Using a local farmer-contractor with Weedseeker reduced our chemical bill by 76pc," Mr Longmire said.
A GRDC-supported trial at Yuna in WA’s northern agricultural region also found the technology to be highly effective against wild radish.
Email a friend