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Optical spray technologies: Technology uptake program

Supporting farmers with the adoption of optical spray technologies.

Term
2023-2024

Project Officer
Jane McInnes

WHY THIS PROJECT IS IMPORTANT

The Agrifutures Australia Technology uptake program is supporting farmers in the Riverine Plains region to understand the types of agritech that are available, and how it can benefit their farming operation. 

Over the last two years, this project has supported the delivery of multiple technology-focused events and supported farmers with trialing new technology on farm. With new technologies hitting the agriculture market each week, it can be challenging for farmers to find tech solutions to their problems and the understand key benefits, or limitations, of adoption.

This program has enabled Riverine Plains to identify technologies that are addressing known issues in our region, while working alongside farmers to determine what works well and where things fall short.

In short: This element of the project aims to support farmers when they are deciding whether or not to introduce on a new spray technology to their farming operation, with a specific focus on drones and optical spot-spray technology in broadacre farming systems. 

Project focus

At our Katamatite ‘Harvest Wrap Up’ event in February 2024, we showcased emerging camera spray technologies and discussed their benefits and challenges with local farmer Craig Thomas. Craig was also involved in showcasing this technology at our Innovation Expo in 2022. Play the video (right) to learn more about Craig's journey with this technology.

Working through the benefits and challenges of adopting optical spray technology

Whilst demonstrating new technologies and seeing the ‘wow’ factor of innovations is important, we also know that working through the decision on whether or not to adopt a given piece of technology — and if so, which brand — is a hard decision to make.

As a result, we worked with the team at Rometron Australia to develop a list of considerations when looking and optical spot-spray technology. These considerations were shared at our February ‘Harvest Wrap up” event, however we also felt it was important to speak to a range of market leaders involved in the uptake of this technology, and develop a decision support tool for farmers to use within our region. 

Decision support tools - optical spot spray technology

As part of the project, Riverine Plains has created decision support tools for agricultural drones (spray and spreader drones) and optical spot spray technology to support farmers when comparing technologies and make decisions on which alternative would best suit the needs of their farming systems. 

The information provided in the tables below is designed to provide more detailed information regarding this technology and aims to support farmers who are considering whether or not to adopt optical spray technology for their operation. Please note, this is not an exhaustive list or a recommendation of brands; instead it is a tool to support farmers who are starting the thinking process about what they may be looking for in spot-spray technology. 

There is no ‘best option’ as all farming situations are different and it can be hard to get independent advice on what would suit best. The following decision support tools are designed to understand key considerations when looking at drones and optical spot spray technology, supporting the decision making process.

A video is also being produced, and will be shortly be available from this page.

Ground rigs

Green-on-brown and green-on-green camera sprayers are becoming more popular in Australian agriculture. These optical spot-sprayers provide targeted weed control and are not only reducing chemical usage, but time spent spraying. With many versions of this technology on the market, it is important to understand the differences between them and what might suit your operation best before considering upgrading to this technology.

Below is a comparison of optical spot-spray systems that can be purchased as  tow-behind and self-propelled options, or retrofitted to existing sprayers. The brands included in this comparison are generally reliable and well-known in Australia for their sprayer technology, however we have also included a brand new to market in Australia (BeeLeap) and we are interested to find out more and share information that is coming through from overseas. 

Definitions:

Detection channel width: This is how wide the sensor/camera is sensing.
Minimum application width: This is the width of the boom section turned on when a weed is detected and will have a major impact on the cost savings achieved. Note, this is not always the same as detection channel width – the system may be detecting every 0.5m but any detection turns on 2.0m of the boom.
ISO section control: GPS section control - turn off when going over same area
ISO section width: Minimum width of the sections controlled using ISO. Note the screen used can limit this even if spray technology is more advanced.
Pulse Width Modulation (PWM): This will give the system speed compensated rate control (i.e. the ability to maintain application rate at varying speeds).
Turn compensation: This will give the system the ability to maintain rate across the width of the boom at corners.  This will require PWM, but having PWM does not automatically give you turn compensation.
Spot spraying vs blanket spraying capability, using PWM: This means you buy a Spot Sprayer and also get a PWM blanket sprayer (possibly more capable than your existing blanket sprayer).
Dual mode: The ability to apply a low blanket rate and simultaneously detect larger weeds and apply a higher spot rate to them
Recommended boom height: A low boom height will mean poorer application on tall weeds.
Detection method: Real time or two pass operation (Drone pre-scan, allow time for data processing, spray application)
Green on brown: Technology is for weeds (green) on fallow ground (brown)
Green on brown subscription: Does the technology come with a fee per hectare? If yes, this can be a one off, per use, annual or other type of fee.
Green on green: Technology is for weeds (green) within a growing crop (green)
Green on green subscription: Does the technology come with a fee per hectare? If yes, this can be a one off, per use, annual or other type of fee.
Proven in field or farmer testamonial: Demonstrated practice in field
Retrofit compatibility: Can the technology be retrofitted to an existing boom? 

 

Comparisons

WEED IT 
Detection channel width 250 mm
Minimum application width 250 mm
ISO section control Yes
ISO section width 1 m
Does the system have Pulse Width Modulation (PWM)? Yes (50 Hz)
Does the system have turn compensation?     Yes
Does the system offer both spot spraying and blanket spraying capability, using PWM? Yes (50 Hz)
Does the system offer dual mode? Yes
Recommended boom height 80 cm
Detection method Real time
Green on brown Yes
Green on brown subscription price (one off/recurring/other)     No
Green on green No
Green on Green subscription price (one off/recurring/other) N/A
Proven in field/farmer testimonial Yes - see Craig Thomas & Riverine Plains Case Study
Retrofit Compatibility     Yes – large selection of brands
Further information Rometron - WEEDIT website

 

Sense Spray – Case IH Patriot
Detection channel width 1 metre (2 nozzles)
Minimum application width  0.5 m (1 nozzle)
ISO section control Yes
ISO section width 0.5 m
Does the system have Pulse Width Modulation (PWM)? No. Conventional, even when fitted to Case IH 4450 Patriot
Does the system have turn compensation?     No. Conventional, even when fitted to Case IH 4450 Patriot
Does the system offer both spot spraying and blanket spraying capability, using PWM? No, not while using cameras
Does the system offer dual mode? No, not when fitted to Patriot Sprayer
Recommended boom height 50 cm above target
Detection method Real time
Green on brown Yes
Green on brown subscription price (one off/recurring/other)     No
Green on green No
Green on Green subscription price (one off/recurring/other) N/A
Proven in field/farmer testimonial Yes, upon request (only been in field 6 months)
Retrofit Compatibility     Only Patriot 4450 at this stage
Further information Case IH website

 

John Deere See & Spray
Detection channel width  1 metre (36 m boom has 36 cameras)
Minimum application width (1 nozzle) 50 cm on nozzle spacings of 50 cm. Length of application is from 0.5 m to 1.5 m
ISO section control Works independently of section control
ISO section width 50 cm sections, individual nozzle control
Does the system have Pulse Width Modulation (PWM)? Yes, PWM with a combined 30MHz. Has an A & B nozzle at 15MHz
Does the system have turn compensation?     Yes
Does the system offer both spot spraying and blanket spraying capability, using PWM? Yes, the A & B can work in different configurations
Does the system offer dual mode? Yes
Recommended boom height 50 cm from target. John Deere boom height is 80cm in fallow situations.
Detection method Real time
Green on brown Yes
Green on brown subscription price (one off/recurring/other)     No
Green on green No (yes in USA)
Green on Green subscription price (one off/recurring/other) Subscription in USA
Proven in field/farmer Testimonial Video link (John Deere)
Retrofit Compatibility     Precision upgrade kit available in USA but not currently in Australia
Further information

Youtube

John Deere website

 

Weedetect (Goldacres)
Detection channel width  3 metre
Minimum application width (1 nozzle)

250 mm. Weedetect can also offer 16 sections 
(for a 36 m boom, a combination of 2-2.5 m sections)

ISO section control Yes
ISO section width This is the same as application width
Does the system have Pulse Width Modulation (PWM)? Yes, we offer PWM as an option
Does the system have turn compensation?     Yes, if it is optioned with PWM
Does the system offer both spot spraying and blanket spraying capability, using PWM? No
Does the system offer dual mode? No
Recommended boom height 60-70 cm
Detection method Real time
Green on brown Yes
Green on brown subscription price (one off/recurring/other)     One cost for permanent activation or $2.50 per ha/year (unlimited passes for that year)
Green on green Yes
Green on Green subscription price (one off/recurring/other) $8.00 per ha/year unlimited passes for that year
Proven in field/farmer Testimonial Goldacres Video
Retrofit Compatibility     Yes, Goldacres only - model specific as well.
Further information Weedetect

 

BeeLeap
Detection channel width  3 metres. The sensors will be placed according to the height from the sensor to the nozzle, the further this distance, the further the cameras are apart. 
Minimum application width (1 nozzle) 1 m. This is adjustable depending on specific machine.
ISO section control Yes
ISO section width It depends if you want to have variable rate over ISOBUS.  Can choose to VRA through our own task map system (LeapCat) which allows for individual VRA rate per nozzle.
Does the system have Pulse Width Modulation (PWM)? Yes, the system comes with a 100 Hz (maximum) PWM system. The frequency is variable per nozzle and based on the driving speed.
Does the system have turn compensation?     Yes
Does the system offer both spot spraying and blanket spraying capability, using PWM? Yes
Does the system offer dual mode? Three different modes: spot spraying, dual mode and modulation. Modulation mode system detects weed size and sprays a lower rate on the smaller weeds.
Recommended boom height 70 cm. It is important to have a stable boom, as an unstable boom results in a poor result.
Detection method Both (real time and can map weeds with second pass to spray) 
Green on brown Yes
Green on brown subscription price (one off/recurring/other)     No fee per hectare
Green on green Yes
Green on Green subscription price (one off/recurring/other) No fee per hectare
Proven in field/farmer Testimonial Three trials in place in WA this year. Other trials in Europe.
Retrofit Compatibility     Yes – large selection of brands
Further information

The system is able to spotspray through corners/turns. 

The system can detect biomass. It is possible to do VRA fungicide/ fertiliser rates based on biomass levels.

Beelap.com

 

Drones

Drones are increasingly used for both spot spraying and whole paddock spraying in broadacre agriculture. They are also being used for spreading fertiliser, especially under wet conditions or in difficult terrain.

Below is a comparison of commercially available drones (as at August 2024). The drones presented for comparison are part of the DJI Agras range, which are specially designed for agricultural use and are available in Australia. DJI is one of the most well-known drone companies in Australia, distrubuted through Akron Australia, however there are other brands that are available including XAG Australia and BROUAV

As drone spray and spreader technology is still quite new and continually evolving, another option is to engage with a contractor to complete mapping and spraying before purchasing yourself. SingleShot and StevTech are examples of organisations that provide these services. 

 
Model DJI Agras T10 DJI Agras T30 DJI Agras T40
Operating Efficiency 6.67 hectares/hour 16 hectares/hour 21.3 hectares/hour
Spraying Tank Volume 10L 30L 40L
Maximum Spray Rate 3 L/min 8 L/min 12 L/min
Total Weight (without battery) 12.2kg 26.4kg 38kg
Maximum Take-off Weight 26.8kg 66.5kg (spraying)
78kg (spreading)
90kg (spraying)
101kg (spreading)
Maximum Flight Time 9 minutes 10 minutes 12 minutes
Maximum Operating Speed 7 m/s 7 m/s 10 m/s
Spraying System 2 diaphragm pumps
Electromagnetic valve
2 plunger pumps
Electromagnetic valve
Magnetic driver impeller pump
Centrifugal valve
Droplet Size 130 - 300 μm 130 - 265 μm 50 - 500 μm
Spray Width 3m - 5.5 metres 4m - 9 metres 11 metres
Spray Height 1.5m - 3m above target 1.5m - 3m above target 3m above target
Spread Width  Function not available 3 - 9 metres 3 - 9 metres
Spreading Materials Function not available Solid, dry particles
0.5mm to 5mm in diameter
Solid, dry particles
0.5mm to 5mm in diameter
Recommended Spreading Height Function not available 5 metres 5 metres
Drone Webpage Links Akron Australia       Single Shot (contractor)      StevTech (contractor)

Note: Agras T50 has just been released

This article has been produced as part of the AgriFutures Technology Uptake Program. Thank you to Rometron, Case IH and John Deere for providing the information in the above tables.

Find out more

For further information. please email jane@riverineplains.org.au

Project investment

This project is funded by AgriFutures Australia.

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