Newsletters

December Newsletter

Fri, 16 Mar 2012 02:40:00 GMT

Welcome to our December Newsletter. 2011 has flown by; with the outlook for the 2011 winter crop and 2012 summer crop looking promising there is a renewed optimism within the agricultural sector. With the summer spray period fast approaching it is this time of year when the attention is turned to making sure your WeedSeeker is ready to go. With this in mind Crop Optics have released an “Optimizing the Performance of your WeedSeeker” paper to ensure you are getting the best from your WeedSeeker system. There are also some updates on nozzles & rate charts which will help with operating the system to its maximum potential.

If you would like to keep up with what Crop Optics is up to you can now follow us on Facebook & Twitter.

Manager's Message

2011 has certainly been a busy year for the team at Crop Optics Australia. Expansion of our WeedSeeker dealer network from just eight in mid 2010 to nearly fifty at present has been keeping us on our toes. The expansion of the network gives growers more options in where they can purchase the WeedSeeker product, as well as improved access to our service facilities.

Continuation of our trial programs this year has been a major focus, chemical rates/efficacy trials along with trials to improve spray tips to enhance coverage whilst chasing hard to kill weeds such as Flea Bane all showing good results. We are proud to announce the long awaited release of the APVMA WeedSeeker permit for NSW. The approval of the APVMA permit has given WeedSeeker owners increased rates on up to 30 different commonly used fallow herbicides, greatly improving the effectiveness of the WeedSeeker helping with control of larger, harder to kill weeds. We hope to have finalised the roll out of the permit to other states by early next year. To view the permit go to www.apvma.gov.au/permits/search.php APVMA permit number 11163.

Control of volunteer Round-Up Ready Cotton from early on in the year using the WeedSeeker has shown amazing results. Savings in chemical of around $42.00 per hectare are common, with growers reporting control rates of 100%. When there are not many other options other than a full cover spray for the control of the cotton this really shows the potential of WeedSeeker.

Release of our new Crop Optics Glider boom especially designed to suit WeedSeeker has been a huge success. Crop Optics has received two awards for this new unit, one at Dowerin field days for Best Sustainable Farm Practices Award and the Best New Release at this year’s York Peninsula Field Days. This new unit is available in a number of different configurations, from 18 to 30 metre widths with 1000 to 3000 litre tank capacity.

Wishing all our customers a Happy and restful Christmas, and all the best for a successful start to 2012.

Cheers

Scott Jameson
Business Manager, Crop Optics Australia

Above: The New WeedSeeker Glider Boom

Kev's Tech Tip

Getting the most from your WeedSeeker System.

It is almost that time of year when WeedSeeker will come into its own, controlling Summer weeds. For your benefit, it is important to make sure that you are getting the most from your WeedSeeker.

Prior to use the operator should conduct a visual inspection of all sensors, solenoids and wiring:

Visually inspect the cables and wiring for damage and replace as necessary. Replace any broken or missing cable ties and ensure cables are secured to the boom. This prevents any possible damage from contact with stubble.
Visually inspect the sensors for physical damage and ensure the light and detection windows are clear and clean. If the light or detection windows are dirty please clean with a soft clean cloth being careful that any grit will not scratch the lens surface.
Once within the area to be sprayed “Flush” the WeedSeeker and ensure chemical is flowing through all solenoids.
Check which spray nozzles are fitted to your WeedSeeker.

Ongoing spray trials conducted by Crop Optics show that TP65⁰ Even nozzles give best results with WeedSeeker.

Water Rate
Please remember that hard to kill weeds such as Fleabane require good coverage for the chemical to be effective. Ensure you are using a water rate of at least 90litres/hectare to achieve this.

From the chart above we can see that a WeedSeeker operated at 3 Bar & 16km/h should have a minimum of TP6504E nozzles fitted to ensure a Water rate of at least 99litres/Ha.

Chemical Rate
Chemicals should be mixed at your Agronomists recommendations using the water rate from the chart. If you follow the WeedSeeker Rate Chart there is no need to add 30% to the recommended chemical rate. Eg: WeedSeeking at 3Bar, 16km/h with TP6504E nozzles. If we want to use 1.5litres of chemical/Ha we simply add 1.5litres of chemical to every 99 litres of water in the tank.

Speed
Crop Optics recommends a WeedSeeker operating speed of 16km/h but good results have been achieved at speeds of up to 20km/h with the correct spray nozzle.

Please note: Increasing your operating speed from 16km/h to 20km/h without changing the spray nozzles or chemical mix will result in an 20% decrease in water rate and therefore 20% less chemical hitting the weed.

Dual Line Operation
More and more WeedSeeker users are applying a light rate of chemical along with the WeedSeeker line when spraying. The light rate overall ensures that all of those small emerging weeds are hit. These weeds can often increase in size significantly during the period from spraying to checking results. These weeds are often mistaken for weeds that WeedSeeker has “Missed” when in reality they were too small to target at spraying.

Including Dual Line jobs in your spray program may reduce how often you need to spray. You can give one of our technicians a call to discuss this option.

Happy WeedSeeking!

Appointment of New Territory Managers

Mike Symes is the Territory Manager for South Australia and Western Australia.

Kevin Bradley has taken on the role of NSW & QLD Territory Manager.

If you have any questions regarding WeedSeeker, or GreenSeeker, please do not hesitate to contact either Mike or Kevin.

Above: Crop Optics' Awards received at this year's field days.

October Newsletter

Wed, 20 Oct 2010 00:22:00 GMT

Successful Precision Spray Information Days

Information Day Handouts

Refining Your WeedSeeker Boom Set Up

Korora Spray System Cuts Costs

Grower Meetings

Award Winning Crop Optics

Successful Precision Spray Information Days

The Precision Spray Days held in Moree, Dalby and Gunnedah were a great success. Those who attended said that they "got a lot" out of the forum. The results speak for themselves having received an average overall score of 8.1 out of 10 from our attendees.

Bill Gordon's overview on label changes, factors contributing to spray drift, and factors affecting efficacy (water quality and adjuvants) was very informative, as was Steve Lang's presentation on the latest spray application technology available from GoldAcres. Other presentations were given by Jake Lanyon, of TeeJet, who talked on selecting the correct nozzle capacity and basic calibration, and Scott Jameson of Crop Optics Australia who spoke on the benefits of using selective spot spraying systems, such as WeedSeeker.

Crop Optics would like to take this opportunity to thank the supporters of the days: Bill Gordon Consulting (sponsored by GRDC), GoldAcres, TeeJet, NFS-Ag Gunnedah, WJ Matthews Moree and Claas Harvest Centre Dalby.

Handouts from the Information Spray Days

Tips for minimising spray drift (click on Read Only when prompted)

Label Changes and Legals

Issues affecting the outcome of spray jobs

TeeJet AIXR Bulletin

TeeJet TwinJet Bulletin

TeeJet A5 Pocket Card

For more useful downloads, go to our website at http://www.cropoptics.com.au/downloads.html

We would like to congratulate Rebecca Faulkner, Mark Hamblin and John Stephens for each winning a set of TeeJet nozzles of their choice, kindly donated by Teejet.

We endeavour to organise more information days in other areas, or where there is demand. If you are interested in attending a precision spray information day in your area, please let us know.

	Left: Steve Lang of GoldAcres gives a presentation on the latest spray technology.
Right: Jake Lanyon, Agricultural Technical Specialist of TeeJet, informs the group how to choose the best nozzle selection to achieve the best results.
	Left: Scott Jameson of Crop Optics Australia gives a presentation to the group on the benefits of using spot spraying technology.

Kev's Tech Tip

Refining your WeedSeeker boom setup

As part of Crop Optics ongoing commitment to improving WeedSeeker operation we have been working closely with Bill Gordon Consulting and TeeJet to find a spray nozzle that best suits the system.

Recent field trials have shown that TP65 Degree Even Fan nozzles are still the best nozzle to be used with WeedSeeker.

Click here to read more

Korora Spray System Cuts Costs

from Queensland Country Life, June 2010

WITH an investment of some $110,000 in WeedSeeker spraying technology, the Gregg family in Central Queensland saved around $150,000 in herbicide costs in just one year – admittedly at a time when the price of Roundup was high.

The Gregg WeedSeeker – equipped with dual spray lines and a second, 1000L (220 gallon), chemical tank – is just one part of the extensive machinery list on the Dysart district grain growing property Korora. Read more

Farming Systems grower meetings to target weed control

by Russ Doadle, Deedi for North Queensland Register, June 2010

CENTRAL Queensland grain growers keen to keep pace with cost-effective in-crop weed control technology are invited to attend a series of five on-property CQ Sustainable Farming Systems (CQSFS) meetings to be held from June 7 to 11.

Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation (DEEDI) principal experimentalist Maurie Conway said the district meetings would provide growers with an update on summer weed control strategies and an insight into new herbicide products. Read more

Award Winning Crop Optics

Crop Optics Australia was awarded the 2009 International Flow & Application Sales Award for outstanding Sales and Invaluable Customer Service at the Trimble 2010 reseller conference.

The Trimble Flow & Application business segment includes the following products which WeedSeeker and GreenSeeker has recently become part of:

Field-IQ
Tru Application Control (TAC)
EZ-Boom
Tru Count
Rawson
GreenSeeker/WeedSeeker

	Left: (from left) Erik Arverson - General Manager Trimble Agicultural Division, Ted Mayfield - WeedSeeker & GreenSeeker Development Manager, Scott Jameson - Business Manager Crop Optics Australia, Mark Heyward - Asia Pacific Sales Manager, Jack Gerhardt - Business Segment Sales Manager, George Huber - Global Sales Director
	Right: Award awarded to Crop Optics

Precision Spray Days

Fri, 15 Oct 2010 02:32:00 GMT

To download a registration form please click here

For more detailed information on the Program & Presenters, visit our dedicated webpage - click here

Christmas 2009

Fri, 15 Oct 2010 01:52:00 GMT

WeedSeeker User Workshops

Crop Optics is currently conducting a series of User Workshops across Australia.

The purpose of these workshops is to provide a forum where WeedSeeker owners and operators can learn how to more effectively use their WeedSeeker system.

So far we have conducted 12 of these User Workshops.

We started in mid November in Clermont, Central Qld and over the past 5 weeks we have conducted them in Dalby, Condamine, Pittsworth, Goondiwindi, North Star, Moree (x 2), Rowena, Walgett, Narrabri and Coonamble with Warren and Spring Ridge to be completed prior to Christmas.

Workshops for customers in Southern NSW, Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia are being planned and will be conducted early in the New Year.

Attendance numbers have been encouraging with all customers that were available attending. The customers unable to attend will be sent the Workshop manual and some have already called Crop Optics to get a run down of what they missed. To read more please click here

Happy Christmas and New Year

From all of the team at Crop Optics, we wish you and all your family a very happy and safe Christmas and all the best for 2010.

Our office is closed from lunchtime the 24th December and reopening Monday 4th January 2010.

Spring 2009

Tue, 08 Sep 2009 02:27:00 GMT

Kev's Tech Tip

How should I plumb my WeedSeeker?

The plumbing of the WeedSeeker System can be installed and used in varying ways depending on the requirements of the individual customer. There are three common Boom configurations, click here to read more

Upcoming Field Days

7th Australian Controlled Traffic Farming Conference in Canberra on 7th & 8th of September.

13th Symposium of Precision Agriculture in Australasia on 10 & 11 September at UNE Armidale.

The Weed Society of NSW Inc "New Advances in Herbicide Use" on 16 September 2009 at Narrabri Bowling Club, 176 Maitland Street, Narrabri.

Spraying smarter in the Golden Triangle

At 35, Todd McMaster is well entrenched in the world of contracting in the North West region's "Golden Triangle" area, and certainly a well-qualified entrant for Syngenta's Spray Awards.

Originally a Coolah boy, Mr McMaster sunk his teeth into his agricultural career of choice about a decade ago.

Click here to read more of the article

Taken from The Land Thursday, July 16, 2009. By Shanna Rowlands

Clyde Agriculture recently made a presentation at The Australian Grains Industry Conference 2009 making reference to WeedSeeker (page 22) and having only to spray 20% of their crop and taking under 12 months to payback the system because of the savings. Click here to see the full presentation.

AgQuip Gunnedah and Dowerin WA field days 2009 were once again a success for Crop Optics Australia. Our team spoke to many interested farmers about the benefits of WeedSeeker. See below some photos of our sites and here for the article in The Land.

Hydra Boom

Above and Below: The first 36 metre factory fitted Hydra Boom for the WA market was released at the Dowerin Field Days.

This boom is set up with dual tanks and dual pumps, with the WeedSeeker and Overall lines operated at the same time from separate tanks. We not only get the advantages of Dual Line operation but also the additional advantage of tailoring chemical rates and mixes to each line individually. This configuration allows use of specialist chemicals at WeedSeeker rates.

Above: Crop Optics Australia display AgQuip 2009

July 2009

Wed, 12 Aug 2009 00:40:00 GMT

A paper written by Peltzer et al. and published by the CSIRO (2009) in Crop and Pasture Science (Vol. 60) , titled "Weed management in wide-row cropping systems: a review of current practices and risks for Australian farming systems" found that compared to traditional controlling of weeds, i.e., applying herbicides uniformly over the entire paddock, or by shielded sprayer to the inter-rows, that patch spraying technology (e.g. WeedSeeker) substantially reduced the use of herbicides and increased net returns.

The review paper also states that the use of patch spraying technology has a huge potential to minimise environmental hazards, for example, ground and surface water pollution and preventing herbicide resistance developing, by implementing efficient and effective use of herbicides under site-specific management of weeds.

Kev's Tech Tips

Routine Maintenance

Your WeedSeeker system should be regularly cleaned and maintained. Click here for routine and basic cleaning techniques for keeping your WeedSeeker in good condition.
Your WeedSeeker system should be regularly cleaned and maintained. for routine and basic cleaning techniques for keeping your WeedSeeker in good condition.

Trimble acquires NTech Industries

Trimble announced early last month that it has acquired privately-held NTech Industries based in Ukiah, California. NTech is a leading provider of crop-sensing technology that allows farmers to reduce costs and environmental impact by controlling the application of nitrogen, herbicide and other crop inputs. The acquisition further expands Trimble's ability to offer innovative field applications for farmers.

NTech products use optical sensing and variable rate application to apply only the inputs needed to maximise crop yield. The GreenSeeker nitrogen application system determines the health of a plant in real time and delivers the optimum amount of nitrogen. The WeedSeeker automatic spot-spray system senses the presence of living plants, allowing targeted and controlled herbicide application.

The systems are typically utilised with Global Positioning System (GPS) solutions and flow and application control products, both of which are supported by Trimble's precision agricultural portfolio of products.

"Trimble's focus is to provide complete agriculture solutions -- from machine guidance and automated steering to application control. The acquisition of NTech gives Trimble customers even more ways to save on fertilizer and herbicide costs while reducing their impact on the environment," said Erik Arvesen, vice president and general manager for Trimble's Agriculture Division. "By applying the right amount of inputs for optimum plant growth, farmers can manage for maximum efficiency and avoid over-applying fertilizer or herbicide."

"GreenSeeker and WeedSeeker solutions are breakthroughs for variable rate application. Our technology offers farmers innovative solutions to help control fertilizer and crop protection products, which ultimately drive costs," said Ted Mayfield, NTech's chief operating officer. "We are excited to join Trimble and believe that our combined technologies will provide farmers with enhanced solutions to more efficiently manage control applications in the field."

Field Days

Crop Optics Australia will be at the following field days over the next few months. Please come and see us!

18, 19 & 20 August	AgQuip	Gunnedah, NSW
10 & 11 September	13th Symposium on Precision Agriculture in Australiasia	UNE Armidale, NSW
16 September	The Weed Society of NSW Inc "New Advances in Herbicide Use"	Narrabri Bowling Club 176 Maitland Street, Narrabri, NSW

April 2009

Wed, 12 Aug 2009 00:46:00 GMT

Member Forum

Crop Optics Australia aims to provide farmers with the knowledge and technology to make agriculture more sustainable and adaptable. Therefore, we have opened up an online forum on our website for you to share your knowledge regarding the use of WeedSeeker and GreenSeeker with other users.

If you are an existing WeedSeeker or GreenSeeker user, over the next few days you will receive a username and password via email which will allow you to log onto our Member only section enabling you to post your own knowledge and experience using WeedSeeker and GreenSeeker to share with other operators. Consequently, you will be able to ask questions and seek advice on how others use the system, and apply it to your own circumstances and environment. If your query is not answered within a couple of days by another user, one of our team members at Crop Optics will respond.

Please note that the forum is to be used for constructive discussions, and anything not relevant to WeedSeeker or GreenSeeker, or is considered inappropriate, will be removed from the website without notice.

We hope that you find this tool beneficial and that you take advantage of the wealth of knowledge that can be shared using this discussion board. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Kev's Tech Tips

Spray Pressure and Speed

Your WeedSeeker system should be operated with a constant spray pressure. Please ensure you operate your controller in manual mode and not at an automatic litres per hectare rate. Click here to read more

WeedSeeker Quick Reference Guide

Please download a copy of our WeedSeeker Quick Reference Guide. If you find this guide useful to keep in your tractor, contact us and we will post a laminated copy out to you.

Crop Capers

This tower was specifically built to show off the physical power of the excavator. Whatever the operator of this machine gets paid, it's not enough!

March 2009

Wed, 25 Mar 2009 13:00:00 GMT

The Government has announced that it will provide an additional $2.7 billion temporary tax break to small and other businesses to boost business investment.

Small business will be able to access the tax break for assets costing $1,000 or more. For all other businesses, the asset threshold is $10,000.

The tax break provides an additional tax deduction for assets aquired from 13 December 2008 to 30 June 2009, where the asset is also installed before 30 June 2010. The deduction will be equal to 30 per cent of the asset's cost.

For assets acquired between 1 July 2009 and 31 December 2009 and where they are installed ready for use before 31 December 2010, the deduction is 10 per cent of the asset's cost.

Please contact your accountant for further information on how this can benefit you with regard to the purchase of a WeedSeeker or GreenSeeker system.

Click here for the media release.

February 2009

Wed, 12 Aug 2009 00:32:00 GMT

Welcome to the second edition of our Crop Optics Australia newsletter.

WeedSeeker inquiry over the last couple of months has remained strong and as a result we are planning a number of WeedSeeker Information Days to be conducted throughout your region.

Due to the growing awareness of WeedSeeker and its benefits to agricultural producers and contractors, it is our team's priority to inform you on how the technology works and the correct implementation of the system.

If you would like to attend a WeedSeeker Information Day, please contact your Agronomist. Your Agronomist will then be invited to contact us to organise an on-farm Information Day to which you will be invited.

Kev's Tech Tip

Calibration – it is important to calibrate your WeedSeeker correctly prior to use Click here to read more

Field Days

Crop Optics will be attending the GoldAcres Factory Expo which is on 23-27 February from 9.00am to 3.00pm at the GoldAcres Ballarat Factory. Click here for the flyer

Come and see us, ask us questions, and see our demonstration rig in action.

WeedSeeker in Action

Have you seen the latest WeedSeeker videos? Click here to go to our homepage to view the videos.

December 2008

Wed, 25 Mar 2009 12:59:00 GMT

Welcome to our first Crop Optics Australia newsletter!

Crop Optics Australia endeavours to keep you up-to-date with relevant and current information on technology to make agriculture more sustainable, improve your yields and increase your profit.

This newsletter aims to keep you informed on the latest technology and news, case studies, technical support and advice regarding WeedSeeker and GreenSeeker.

If you would like to know more about a particular subject, or you would like to share your WeedSeeker or GreenSeeker knowledge, trials and tips, please let us know by emailing admin@cropoptics.com.au

Kev's Tech Tip

The importance of maintaining your batteries and alternator.

It cannot be emphasised enough how important it is to maintain your batteries and alternators to keep them in peak condition.

The most common problems that arise with WeedSeeker can be traced to a weak set of batteries or a faulty or unsuitable vehicle charging system. click here to read more

Happy Christmas

The Crop Optics Australia team wish you and your families a very happy and safe Christmas. We look forward to a fruitful and prosperous 2009!

Our office is closed from lunch time on Christmas Eve and will reopen Monday 5 January 2009.

Krop Kapers

On a rural road a policeman pulled this farmer over and said: "Sir, do you realise your wife fell out of the car several kilometres back?"

To which the farmer replied: "Thank God, I thought I had gone deaf!"

Other News

15th Bienniel NSW Weeds Conference

Newsletters

December Newsletter

Manager's Message

Kev's Tech Tip

Appointment of New Territory Managers

October Newsletter

CONTENTS

Successful Precision Spray Information Days

Handouts from the Information Spray Days

Kev's Tech Tip

Refining your WeedSeeker boom setup

Korora Spray System Cuts Costs

Farming Systems grower meetings to target weed control

Award Winning Crop Optics

Precision Spray Days

Christmas 2009

WeedSeeker User Workshops

Happy Christmas and New Year

Spring 2009

Kev's Tech Tip

Upcoming Field Days

Spraying smarter in the Golden Triangle

Hydra Boom

July 2009

Kev's Tech Tips

Trimble acquires NTech Industries

Field Days

April 2009

Member Forum

Kev's Tech Tips

WeedSeeker Quick Reference Guide

Crop Capers

March 2009

February 2009

Kev's Tech Tip

Field Days

WeedSeeker in Action

December 2008

Welcome to our first Crop Optics Australia newsletter!

The importance of maintaining your batteries and alternator.

Happy Christmas

Krop Kapers

Other News