Sprayer Calibration

About Calibration

Spray application is a precise business, and the difference between success and failure can be small.

A well calibrated sprayer lets you get the right amount of spray - no more, no less - where you want it, how you want it, when you want it. That means:

Chemical cost-savings
Effective pest and disease control
Minimal residues
Avoiding potential market access issues
Better water use control
Control of spray drift and off-target crop damage (yours and the neighbours!)
Avoiding crop damage from over-application
Reduced equipment and labour costs

Early season spraying, in particular, involves some of the most expensive and important products of the season, so we recommend winter calibration of your sprayer to make sure your machines are at their optimum when you need them the most.

Calibrations Need Common Sense

Often the math of a calibration is exact, but the background information of how suitable the sprayer setup is for a specific application is seriously flawed.

Is the speed, nozzle choice, nozzle pattern and total output suitable for the specific block,
spray conditions, and sprayer equipment used?

AgFirst Calibrators understand the pests and diseases that are being targeted, as well as the results required from other spray applications such as chemical thinners and plant growth regulators. Combining this with the influence that different tree canopies have on the spray application, we understand the importance of determining the most appropriate water rates and spray nozzle patterns for your needs.

One Size Does Not Fit All

AgFirst Calibration services offer growers the ability to customise their calibrations through an individual questionnaire.

The sprayer setup is designed to adequately cover all areas of sprayer application, but it could have specific focus from the grower questionnaire improved pest and disease control, work rate efficiency, operator simplicity, minimal residue levels, minimal equipment investment, weather flexibility or chemical efficiency.

Optional Extras

Tree Row Volume Calculations

AgFirst offers a complete TRV measuring and pesticide application volume service for mor efficient spray application.

Operator Training

AgFirst also offers basic training in some of the common application pitfalls, as well as safety aspects of spray application.

Sprayer Performance Assessments

In addition to the other AgFirst calibration services, AgFirst are able to set up and assess actual spray pattern application results using Surround, water sensitive paper or food dye.

We are able to assess your sprayer setup over different canopies and leaf conditions throughout the growing season.

Want to know more?

Email Michelle at m.mitchell@agfirst.co.nz or phone (06) 872 7080 to discuss your needs.

Hortwatch® is a product of AgFirst
Phone: 64 6 872 7080
Fax: 64 6 870 3629
email: agfirst@hortwatch.com