Updated August 10, 2023:
Planning for the 2023 growing season was conducted from October 2022 to April 2023. Each university cooperator is planning to conduct a unique trial related to spot spray technology. Based on preliminary findings from 2022 highlighted below, the University of Wisconsin - Madison will conduct small plot trials evaluating different nozzle configurations and boom heights to determine the effect on weed control based on these treatments. Kansas State University will conduct trials using a small-plot smart sprayer to evaluate the effectiveness of spot spray technology within preemergence and postemergence herbicide programs. Data will also be evaluated to determine the impact on the cost for each herbicide program. The University of Nebraska - Lincoln will conduct large field-scale trials using a commercial sized smart sprayer to evaluate the effect of application timing at different soybean growth stages and how broadcast and spot-spray applications perform when applied alone or in combination. The results from these trials will be summarized and reported at the end of the funding cycle. In addition, the three universitas are planning to host a webinar in fall 2023 inviting 3 smart sprayer technology developers to highlight the technology for an online audience. Discussion will be facilitated to help growers and applicators understand the technology and how it might fit within their operations. The webinar will also be recorded and made available for those not able to attend in person on-line.
For the 2022 growing season, field studies were conducted at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and Kansas State University using the Bosch BASF smart sprayer technology.
- 3 graduate students (2 PhD, 1 MS) and 3 undergraduate research scholars work on field project during the 2022 season. The students have had several opportunities to interact with BASF employees related to the development and implementation of their smart sprayer technology.
EXTENSION PRESENTATIONS
• Werle, R. 2023. Building effective integrated weed management control programs for soybean. 2323 BASF Innovation Symposium. Wisconsin Dells, WI. February 23, 2023. (60 minutes, 200 participants).
• Werle, R. 2023. Reflecting on a half-decade of farmer-driven integrated weed management research in Wisconsin. Keynote address. 25th Wild World of Weeds Workshop. Fargo, ND. January 17, 2023. (45 minutes, 200 participants).
• Werle, R., and N. Arneson. 2022. Weed management in non-GMO soybean. SB&B Foods Research Update Meeting. Eau Claire, WI. November 29, 2022. (150 minutes, 60 participants).
• Barnhart IH, Dille A. 2022. The Bosch® BASF® Smart SprayerTM was demonstrated at a field day organized by the Kansas State University Extension Weeds team on July 13, 2022. The 10’ research sprayer was demonstrated in a fallow field at the Kansas State University Ashland Bottoms Research farm (2850 W 32nd Ave, Manhattan KS 66502). Attendance was approximately 50 farmers, crop consultants, and graduate students from across Kansas. Aaron Hunsinger (Bosch BASF Smart Farming) gave a brief overview of the machine and how it works. This was followed by a demonstration of detecting weeds and spraying them with a mixture of water and fluorescent dye so that those in attendance could view the sprayed weeds. Many people were interested in the technology and had questions as to how this technology could benefit their farming operations.
INVITED PRESENTATIONS (CLASSROOM & SYMPOSIUM)
• Werle, R., Proctor C., Dille, A. 2022. Smart Sprayer Research – key insights from University of Wisconsin-Madison. Xarvio BASF – US Academic Panel. September 30, 2022. Cologne, Germany.
• Werle, R. Weed management challenges and innovations across the Midwest United States. Brazilian Weed Science Congress. July 25-28, 2022. Rio Verde, GO, Brazil.
• Werle, R. 2022. Innovations in the management of troublesome weeds in the United States. 5th SIMAL (Latin America Symposium) Evolution: Management of Challenging Weeds. June 08 and 09, 2022. Iguazu Falls, Parana, Brazil.
• Werle, R., Proctor C., Dille, A. 2022. Smart Sprayer Research Update. BASF – University Weed Science Round Table. March 04, 2022. Seymour, IL.
PROFESSIONAL MEETING ABSTRACTS
• Barnhart IH, Vitti TH, Proctor C, Miller KA, Kruger G, Dille A (2022) Locating weeds and patches with precision sprayers. Poster presentation #44: 2022 North Central Weed Science Society (NCWSS) annual meeting. December 6, 2022. St. Louis, MO.
• Barnhart IH, Kruger G, Miller KA, Proctor C, Werle R, Dille A (2022) Comparison of weed control outcomes when using precision sprayers versus traditional approaches. Oral presentation: 2022 North Central Weed Science Society (NCWSS) annual meeting. December 6, 2022. St. Louis, MO.
• Barnhart IH, Kruger G, Miller KA, Proctor C, Werle R, Dille A (2023) Comparison of weed control outcomes when using precision application versus traditional approaches. Oral presentation: 2023 Weed Science Society of America (WSSA) annual meeting. February 1, 2023. Arlington, VA.
• Barnhart IH, Proctor C, Vitti TH, Miller KA, Kruger G, Dille A (2023) Weed control in soybeans (Glycine max) using precision sprayers. Oral presentation: 2023 Weed Science Society of America (WSSA) annual meeting. February 1, 2023. Arlington, VA.
• Ugljic, Z., M.C. Oliveira, A. Dille, Chris Proctor, and R. Werle. 2022. Survey of corn-soybean weed management during the 2021 growing season and current stakeholder perception on targeted spraying technologies. Proceedings of the North Central Weed Science Society Annual Meetings, St. Louis, MO.
• Ugljic, Z., N.J. Arneson, R.P. DeWerff, A. Dille, C. Proctor, G. Kruger, K. Miller, and R. Werle. 2022. Delivering POST herbicides on the spot: evaluating a novel smart sprayer technology. Proceedings of the North Central Weed Science Society Annual Meetings, St. Louis, MO.
• Vitti, T, C. Proctor, G. Kruger. 2022. Evaluating even flat-fan nozzle coverage for spot spraying applications with a one or two-boom system. Proceedings of the North Central Weed Science Society Annual Meetings, St. Louis, MO.
• Questions received during the 2022 NCWSS meetings: People usually have been interested in nozzle type, when it’s going to be available on the market, how much is going to cost, how much you can save per acre, who is going to do maintenance, how often you need to update the software, how often you need to clean cameras.
• Questions received during Extension meetings: positioning of layered residuals (folks are often more excited about the 2-tank vs spot spraying), cost of technology, efficacy and accuracy, coop profitability, what to do with data collected (weed maps), what herbicides to use, what nozzles/carrier rate to use, can non-selective (non-registered) herbicides be used in spot applications.