Proactive Weed Management
B&W Rural |
Moree, NSW
Introduction: Brad Donald, an agronomist at B&W Rural in Moree, NSW Australia, has been leveraging advanced technology to improve weed management practices. By using Satamap, as a scouting, management, and monitoring tool, Brad has developed a proactive approach to managing barnyard grass, a common summer weed.
Challenge: Traditional weed management methods, such as Weedseekers/WeedIts, are effective for spot spraying established weeds but are inherently reactive. Brad aimed to shift towards a proactive strategy by identifying areas with high biomass, which indicate a high seed bank, and applying higher rates of residual herbicides like Imazapic (Flame) in those areas.
Solution:
Data Collection:
Brad exported a Satamap image from 2013 as a POINT shapefile. This image represented areas of the paddock with high biomass, which were assumed to have a high seed bank.
Data Integration:
The POINT shapefile was imported into SMS Advanced, a farm mapping software. This integration allowed Brad to generate a variable rate map for herbicide application. The software processed the data similarly to yield data, making it easy to handle.
Variable Rate Application:
Using the variable rate map, Brad adjusted the water volume applied by the rate controller automatically. This ensured that the herbicide application rates stayed within optimal pressure ranges for effective droplet size management.
(Left) Satamap image of fallow SW of Moree, 2013.
(Right) Variable rate map constructed form Satamap data for residual herbicide application.
Implementation Steps:
Step 1: Export historical biomass data from Satamap.
Step 2: Import the data into SMS Advanced as a POINT shapefile.
Step 3: Generate a variable rate map for herbicide application.
Step 4: Use the map to adjust herbicide application rates based on biomass data.
Results:
Proactive Weed Management: By targeting areas with high seed banks, Brad was able to manage barnyard grass more effectively.
Efficient Herbicide Use: The variable rate application reduced overall chemical usage and costs.
Improved Crop Yield: Better weed control led to healthier crops and improved yields.
Conclusion: Brad Donald's innovative use of Satamap data and farm mapping software demonstrates the potential of technology in proactive weed management. By integrating historical biomass data into his weed control strategy, Brad optimized herbicide application, reduced costs, and improved crop productivity. This case study highlights the importance of leveraging advanced tools and agronomic expertise to enhance agricultural practices.