MACHINERY

Miller goes green-on-green spraying

Bilberry's spot spraying technology is now available on Miller self-propelled sprayers.

Staff writer

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The Bilberry Intelligent Spot Spraying System, from the namesake tech start-up company, uses an embedded camera network, artificial intelligence and deep learning software to identify weeds in-crop or in green-on-green applications.

The high speed, high definition cameras are installed at 3.0-metre intervals along the booms to scan paddocks and the company's weed recognition algorithms are constantly evolving to ensure specific weeds are precisely targeted with the appropriate herbicide in real time.

Bilberry Australian sales manager, Josh Johnson, said blue lupin was expected to join the broadleaf weeds currently identified for green-on-green applications, while grass weeds in some broadleaf crops could be added in 2023.

In addition to the technology's use in wheat, barley and oat crops, Johnson said it also was set to be available for lupins in 2022 and soon-after for broadleaf break crops and pastures.

Peter Vella, national Miller sales manager with its Australian distributor, McIntosh Distribution, said the recent move was part of a continued focus by Miller to offer end-users the latest in spray application technologies.

He said Bilberry was the leading provider of green-on-green technology in a nice, easy format and the partnership also would help further grow the company's business in Australia.

Green-on-green trials with the Bilberry Intelligent Spot Spraying System have shown an average hit and kill rate of 80 per cent, as well as chemical savings of up to 90 per cent.

Another bonus with the technology is its ability to map weed populations, helping to further prevent herbicide resistance.

Vella said growers also could potentially gain an understanding of crop growth stage and disease status and receive GPS-logged data that could assist nitrogen and fungicide applications, as well as their overall farm management strategy.

The Bilberry cameras can be used at travelling speeds of up to 20 kilometres per hour, allowing growers to maintain high capacity spraying operations.

The system fully integrates with Miller's electronics and is available on the Miller truss booms up to 41.5m and the Pommier 48m aluminium boom. The full integration also allows users to easily change from spot to blanket spraying.

A limited number of the Bilberry systems will be available with Miller sprayers for 2022.

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