Blanket spraying of crops for weeds and pests is coming under ever closer scrutiny as the technology to reduce the necessity of doing so evolves, and CNH has not been idle in pursuing the idea of applying chemicals only where they are needed
This year, the company launched what it refers to as its sense and act technology.
Case IH have branded the new technology SenseApply, while New Holland has added it to the functions of its IntelliSense suite of digital functions.
Four season application
This latest sprayer automation system is suitable for year-round chemical application and enables live variable rate applications and selective spray options on bare or residue-covered field conditions.
The SenseApply technology has two modes – Selective Spray and Live Variable Rate Application (Live VRA).
Selective Spray can be used in two ways: the first of which is Green-on-Brown Spot Spraying, where the camera spots green weeds on stubble or bare soil; or secondly, what the company calls Base + Boost mode, which sprays a consistent base rate of herbicide across the field.
Flexible approach from CNH
The Live Variable Rate Application can be used in a further five different application modes: fertiliser; fungicide; harvest aid; plant growth regulators; and burndown, which applies herbicide to competing vegetation before a new crop is planted.
The technology is said to offer the greatest benefit in fields with varying conditions, where traditional uniform spraying can either overdose or underdose areas which may or may not need a chemical applied.
The spot spraying part of the system relies on just the one easy-to-install camera sensor, while it appears that the live variable rate part is presumably powered by prescription maps, although CNH fails to make this clear from its press release.
The company claims that SenseApply technology provides the most economical and adaptable live variable rate application and selective spray systems for growers and custom applicators.
