App to optimise spray efficiency
Growers have quickly taken up new smartphone app SnapCard, which is designed to help broadacre farmers optimise pesticide spray efficiency.
The SnapCard app has been downloaded by more than 700 users since January.
SnapCard is the outcome of a research collaboration between the Department of Agriculture and Food WA's entomology group and the Applied Entomology program at the University of WA, led by Associate Professor Christian Nansen.
The development of the phone app was supported by funding from the Council of Grain Grower Organisations.
COGGO chairman Chris Wilkins said the COGGO board was pleased that funding decisions were hitting the mark with another research product being well received by growers and the industry.
Adoption of SnapCard has been developed by Associate Professor Nansen, who has conducted a considerable number of presentations at grower group events. He has also run sessions at two AusChem events, where 70 trainers received both a theoretical presentation and a practical session on how to use SnapCard.
DAFWA senior entomologist Rob Emery said SnapCard was a valuable decision support tool that also allowed growers to assess the performance of pesticide spray applications.
"Spray applications are an important cost for growers and prior to SnapCard there were no quantitative procedures available to predict or measure efficacy and performance," Mr Emery said.
"The app predicts spray coverage based on tractor speed, size of spray nozzles, spray volume and addition of adjuvant, and weather conditions including temperature, humidity and wind speed."
The free app is available for iPhone, iPad and Android smartphones and tablets.
Users have the option to create an account and log into the SnapCard website on a DAFWA server where data can be synchronised and archived. This allows users to look back at long-forgotten treatment profiles for future seasons while satisfying Department of Health regulations.
SnapCard can be downloaded from Apple iTunes or the Google Play app stores. More information is available from http://agspsrap 31.agric.wa.gov.au/snapcard/#&ui- state=dialog.
