Spot spray technology is helping one Saskatchewan farmer tackle herbicide resistance, cut costs, and stay committed to sustainable practices — all without sacrificing efficacy.
Carl DeConinck Smith farms 13,000 acres in west-central Saskatchewan, seeding cereals, canola, and pulses. Seven years ago, he adopted the WEED-IT system — a chlorophyll-detecting spot spray technology — to maintain chem fallow practices while helping avoid herbicide resistance and off-target herbicide application.
The technology allows for targeted spraying of weeds while skipping bare ground, making it especially effective during chem fallow applications. DeConinck Smith says that he uses the system on 100 per cent of his chem fallow acres, with spot or dual-spray modes deployed on about 50 to 60 per cent of those acres, depending on the year.
The return on investment has been significant. He estimates a three- to four-year payback period, driven entirely by spray product savings. The technology allows him to apply higher rates of product on stubborn patches of tough to kill weeds, such as kochia or thistle, without blanket-spraying entire fields, which would be cost-prohibitive.
While some seasons call for more full-field spraying due to weather conditions, the technology provides flexibility. In a typical fall with good moisture, savings can range from 65 to 90 per cent, he says.
Beyond the economic upside, the system supports long-term sustainability by reducing chemical load and helping manage resistance. “It’s allowed us to continue to farm the way that we wanted to farm,” says DeConinck Smith.
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