Hi Tatum,
I have calibrated 20+ airblast sprayers in Minnesota and Wisconsin over the last two years, many for growers with tall spindle systems. I still think the airblast sprayer is still the way to go. There is much you can do with sprayer calibration to improve performance and accuracy of pesticide deposition. I received my training from seminars led by Dr. Andrew Landers, Ag engineer at Cornell. I think his work is right on target to address your questions. If you have the time to research and read about your options I would get his book, “Effective Vineyard Spraying”, http://effectivespraying.com/. This publication offers an in-depth review of all sorts of sprayer technology and how to select for your production system. A couple considerations could include: 1. Look for an airblast sprayer with an adjustable fan speed or a lower fan speed. Reducing the fan speed will help you keep your sprays on target! I know AgTec makes a vineyard sprayer with a lower fan speed. The AgTec’s have been real popular in the upper Midwest, though I don’t think they are the standard in New England or Mid Atlantic. This sprayer from Durand Wayland is an example of a rig with a multi-speed gear box for the fan and the option for a tower attachment, http://durand-wayland.com/spraying/redline_600HP.html 2. Buy a sprayer that will allow you to use air-induction nozzles. Air-induction nozzles encapsulate little bubbles of air inside the droplet, creating a larger droplet less prone to drift. When this larger droplet makes contact with the plant surface, it breaks into smaller droplets. 3. Regarding your concerns for pesticide drift to neighboring organic farms, proper calibration is essential regardless of what sprayer you purchase. Additionally, documenting your air temperature, wind speed and direction, on days you spray will demonstrate your awareness of this risk to the neighbors and may help mitigate accusations of drift, if such unfortunate events occur. Thanks, Peter ============================= Peter Werts Project Manager Specialty Crops IPM Institute of North America, Inc. 1020 Regent St. Madison WI 53715 Office: 608 232-1410 Cell: 612 518-0319 Fax: 608 232-1440 <mailto:pwe...@ipminstitute.org> pwe...@ipminstitute.org <http://www.ipminstitute.org/> www.ipminstitute.org From: apple-crop-boun...@virtualorchard.net [mailto:apple-crop-boun...@virtualorchard.net] On Behalf Of Tatum Stewart Sent: Thursday, March 26, 2015 3:07 PM To: apple-crop@virtualorchard.net Subject: [apple-crop] Airblast Sprayer for Tall Spindle? I have a small (3 acres) established orchard on M7 that I have worked for about 10 years. I have some new land about 15 miles away that I have began planting a new orchard using the Tall Spindle method. I only have about one acre planted now, but it will end up being about 5 acres of apples as PYO. I also have peaches and blackberries. I have been planning on purchasing a new airblast sprayer for the new orchard in the future so that I don't have to haul it and my tractor back and forth from each place. And it is hard to get good spray timing when the sprayer is at the other orchard. However, do I need an airblast with the tall spindle system? With the M7 trees and bigger you need the air to push through the tree to ensure good coverage, but with the M9s the canopy is so much smaller. Could you not use a tower type sprayer with-out the airblast? Drift would be greatly reduced (a big deal with organic farms on surrounding my property), Tractor requirements would be less allowing for tighter row spacing, and obviously the cost would be less. What would be the down side? Poor coverage of the underside of the leaves due to no swirling air? Droplet size too large? Thanks Tatum Stewart Stewart Orchard Ashland City and Nashville, TN
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