It’s one thing to tell an orchard or vineyard owner about the Smart Apply Precision Spray + Data System. It’s an entirely different scenario when you show them.
You know the old saying—seeing is believing. Well, it’s true. Trying to describe how the LiDAR causes a sprayer to apply in just the right amount at just the right time, even with a whole lot of gesticulating, is close to impossible. But once you get a bunch of folks out in an orchard or vineyard putting their hands on the equipment, asking questions and watching the pulsing of the spray. It’s magical.
People get it.
And some literally get it. We’ve had growers purchase multiple Smart Apply Systems for their air blast and GUSS Autonomous Sprayers after seeing the system do its thing. It’s easy to understand after watching a sprayer with a Smart Apply System literally kick the pants off a traditional air blast sprayer by reducing total gallons sprayed on the same row by 50% or more. Also impressive is the near lack of airborne drift and run off with Smart Apply and what that means for soil health and adjacent fields.
Because of the power of field trials, crop associations, co-operatives, and individual high-value crop growers ask if they can schedule a Smart Apply field trial. Here’s the inside track:
Find an Authorized Smart Apply Dealer to Serve as Event Sponsor
Field trials are typically hosted by Smart Apply authorized dealers. They are growers’ local connection to Smart Apply sales, installation and ongoing service and support. Sales and Precision Ag team members will be involved in the field trial to operate the equipment, go through the system and answer questions. Many dealers also like to invite a Smart Apply technical salesperson who are experts in precision spraying, data and how the system performs across a range of tree fruits and nuts, grapes, hops, and nurseries. See all Smart Apply dealers here.
Identify a Host Orchard, Vineyard or Nursery
Field trials require a host orchard, vineyard, nursery willing to allow their trees or vines to be sprayed. Some Smart Apply dealers have dedicated farms for demos, which makes identifying a location easy. Smart Apply field trials are done with water. No chemicals are sprayed so there’s no impact on the crops we spray. Typically, spraying is confined to two to four rows, just enough to compare a traditional spraying to spraying with a Smart Apply System. A few passes are it takes to see the difference in the spray action.
The host farm or vineyard also needs room for parking, for the guests to mingle and watch the demo, and for lunch. More on that in a minute.
Although not necessary, it helps if the host orchard or vineyard is a Smart Apply customer. Georgia Pecan farmer Tim Sikes has used the Smart Apply System for three growing seasons, reporting that the system paid for itself in chemical savings after year one. He does field trials for other pecan growers with Flint Ag & Turf, but also welcomes corporate growers to his orchard for one-on-one demos.
The Best Time of Year
Field trials are best done once trees and vines have started to leaf out. In the case of hops, the ideal time is when the bines are at least four to five feet in height. Trials can be done throughout the growing season and even post-harvest as long as the trees and vines have foliage.
Don’t worry if you have young trees planted among mature trees due to a tornado, hurricane, age, or disease. This is actually a great scenario for demonstrating the Smart Apply System to differentiate between giants and saplings.
How Much Time to Allow
Two hours plus time for a lunch break is a winning time frame. Start at 10 a.m. and then by noon, everyone’s ready to break for lunch and more casual discussion.
Who Should Attend
Smart Apply field trials are popular with individual corporate growers, grower associations, grower cooperatives, agtech groups, and small orchard or vineyard growers. You can invite anyone of the following who are interested in learning about Smart Apply’s precision spray and data collections and analytics:
- Farm owners
- General managers
- Spray managers
- Equipment technicians
- Sustainability managers
- Tractor operators
- Accountants/finance people
You can also invite local media, sprayer manufacturers, crop consultants and others who may be interested in the technology that helps grow healthy crops with less chemicals and is good for the environment. PRO TIP: Invite a crowd to maximize attendance.
Follow this Proven Format
The best Smart Apply field trials follow this time-tested format:
- Prior to the field trial, choose your location. Short rows work best as it’s easier for guests to follow the action.
- The day before the field trial, do a dry run of your sprayer and Smart Apply System to ensure everything is ready to go.
- As guest arrive, check them in by capturing name, farm name, phone, and email.
- Welcome and review of the event schedule to the day so guests know what to expect.
- Introduction to the Smart Apply System, the components and how it integrates with nearly any new or used air blast sprayer, GUSS Autonomous Sprayer and over-the-row sprayer. Explain how a single or multiple Smart Apply Systems can be pre-programmed for the day’s spraying. If your group is small enough, it’s great to have everyone gather around the sprayer to see, listen and ask questions.
- Prior to moving into the orchard or vineyard, the Precision AG or Smart Apply technician will explain how the spray trial will be conducted. Typically, we use one sprayer. For the first pass, we run the system in manual for traditional spray action. Then, we spray with the Smart Apply System on. Trees and vines along the spray route are tagged with water sensitive paper to track application rates. Guests are instructed to watch the spray action as well as compare air born drift (or lack thereof) between the two processes.
- After spraying, take a brief pause for host and other speakers to review the paper test strips and determine the chemical volume applied by both methods.
- Share the results of spraying. Pass the paper test strips around through the guests as this is explained.
- Begin the wrap up by explaining the Smart Apply System’s data collection, Cloud storage and reporting functions and how this is used to support operations, regulatory and export requirements, and sustainability reporting (chemical and water usage).
- Hold short Q&A. Invite guests to grab lunch (if serving) and encourage the conversation to continue.
- Thank guests and let them know there will be a follow-up the sponsoring dealer and Smart Apply.
What to Feed Your Guests.
Lunch is optional but always welcome. It does not have to be fancy; box lunches are great. Connor Pate, the Precision Ag Manager for Belkorp Ag highly recommends something hearty like tri-tip sandwiches and tacos. Both are crowd pleasers, says Pate. Some dealer have done food trucks or cookout.
What to Expect from Field Trial Guests.
Belkorp Ag’s Connor Pate says to expect mixed feelings from field trial attendees before you get started. Says Pate, “Typically before the demo you’ll have customers who are either skeptical or un-enthusiastic about the Smart Apply technology. Once we run the system and compare it to the conventional pass, customers’ eyes go wide and then the questions really begin to flow.
In most cases, guests are happy with the demo results. Others are still skeptical and ask us to go to their most over-grown, densest canopy block. Once they see the savings in that type of situation, they are convinced Smart Apply is the way to go.”
Seeing the Smart Apply System running in an orchard, vineyard, or nursery will make believers out of anyone, even skeptics. If you have questions on Smart Apply field trials, send us an email at Hello@SmartApply.com. Or visit our Find a Dealer page for an authorized Smart Apply Dealer near you here.