Training with InteliGro and WinField United ensures effective crop protection
Growers rightly say that the most expensive spray application is the second or wrong one.
Spray clinics jointly presented by InteliGro and WinField United Wholesale now help to ensure that the first application is the best, and the only one.
Without crop protection products (chemical or biological), it would be impossible to produce sufficient food for the increasing global population. However, this valuable input has to be used safely and responsibly in the long-term interest of the environment, humans and animals, in addition to preventing the development of resistance against specific products. The emphasis is therefore on using the right product, for the right reason at the right time.
“Agrochemicals are becoming more expensive, pests develop resistance against products and new compounds are increasingly rare,” said Johan Viljoen from WinField United. “Against this backdrop, WinField United Wholesale and InteliGro joined forces at the start of the citrus season to present a series of spray clinics for growers and spray operators.”
The first of these demonstration days was held at Marone Farms at the Wildevy 4×4 venue. More than 50 local farmers attended the clinic.
Twofold approach
According to Janet Lawless from InteliGro, the spray clinics stand on two legs, namely the responsible use of agrochemicals and effective application practices. “Underpinning both is the responsibility we accept for safeguarding the environment and the well-being of humans and animals,” she said. “This stewardship starts on the farm, as does everything else we do.”
“Occasionally we find that spray operators do not fully understand the danger involved in the handling of agrochemical products,” said Viljoen.
“The correct disposal of empty containers cannot be emphasised enough. Under no circumstances may empty agrochemical containers be used for any other purposes. They must, instead, be handled according to the Croplife SA guidelines and delivered to an approved collection point where accredited organisations can collect them for recycling. As part of InteliGro’s focus on stewardship, we recently equipped our Lydenburg depot, according to CropLife’s guidelines in order to deal with the safe discarding of these containers.
“We also go into some detail about how harmful it can be to the environment, humans and animals if agrochemical products are not handled and disposed of correctly,” added Viljoen.
Effective application were discussed under three headings:
1. “In the tank” focuses on the correct product mixing sequence and the importance of water quality.
2. “In the air” covers aspects such as optimal droplet size to prevent evaporation or run-off, nozzle management, calibration of equipment and the impact of environmental conditions – wind, temperature and humidity – on application.
3. “On the target” explains why certain weeds, fungi and insects are difficult to control, and how adjuvants can be used to bypass pests’ defence mechanisms.
In addition to the importance of effective application, InteliGro makes use of the latest supportive application technology, namely DropSight. This user-friendly application enables us to monitor the actual amount of active ingredient that reaches the target for the first time. This is extremely important, considering the harsh environmental conditions that spray operators deal with during the growing season.
In conclusion, Lawless highlights the partnership’s ambition to reach every farmer in the country with the spray clinics. “The message that efficacy starts on the farm and that the basics have to be in place, is extremely important.”
