EACH year tens of thousands of people descend on the Mudgee Small Farm Field Days to pick up tricks, tools and tradespeople to help improve their farm businesses.
For those who don’t deal with farming’s big rigs, Mudgee’s annual field days are a chance for the industry’s smaller farmers to seek advice tailored to their operations.
Earlier this morning spray rig manufacturer Uni Boom took some time out to demonstrate how to select the perfect nozzle for your spray job.
Uni Boom’s sales manager Stuart McKey, Box Hill Sydney, explained the universal colour system used for nozzle sizes.
“The International Organisation for Standardisation chart for spray nozzles is your go-to guide for nozzles,” he said.
“Once you know your speed, the rate of chemical and the necessary spray pressure you need to apply you use the table to find which nozzle is right for your application.
“Keep a copy of the universal chart in your tractor cab and you’ll always be in the know.”
While most modern tractors have in-built GPS systems, Mr McKey said small-scale farmers can easily use a smart-phone app or hand-held GPS system to establish their speeds.
“Use a hand-held system to work out the average speed which will be suitable for your paddocks. Once you’ve established this (and you’ve got your application rates from your agronomist) you’ll know which size nozzle will suit best.”
Nozzles need replacing every eight to 12 months, however the frequency of their replacement can depend on the type of chemical being applied.
Cleaning nozzles is very important, he said.
“Cleaning the nozzles can be very easy. Of course, the chemical manufacturers each give specific advice on how to clean each nozzle after using their products but the easiest way is to scrub the nozzles in water with a toothbrush.”
While GPS systems have become an essential part of the tractor cab, Mr McKey said foam was still an effective way to mark out spray jobs.
“My advice to new farmers is to use clean, warm water to create maximum foam. Foaming action will be less effective in winter when the water is cold.”