Citrus growers don’t necessarily need new equipment to improve their spray coverage, according to US application expert Matt Strmiska.
“I have worked with a lot of growers and spray applications can be optimised on almost any machine, resulting in more precise application of product for significantly better yield,” said Strmiska, co-founder of AdaptivConsulting.
Strmiska will share advice on how to improve spray coverage at Citrus Australia’s Citrus Technical Forum, being held at the Adelaide Convention Centre on 6-7 March.
With a background in manufacturing and fabrication, Strmiska has been an independent consultant on spraying for nine years. He is an advisor to different universities and the US Department of Agriculture, with whom his work has been published in peer-reviewed scientific journals.
“Essentially, I try to understand the physics of spraying, and have developed techniques to improve growers’ equipment and practices,” he said.
“I can bridge the gap between technical studies and what growers experience in the field.”
Strmiska is no stranger to Australia, running regular workshops for growers across the country, including leading citrus grower Nutrano.
“I’ve never seen anyone as good as Matt do this,” Nutrano’s Richard Byllaardt said. “He has great knowledge and is very passionate about this. We always get at least 20-30 per cent improvement after he has been.”
Along with sharing some simple techniques at the Citrus Technical Forum, Strmiska will run a field demonstration at Costa Exchange’s Kangara farm as part of the pre-forum tour.
“It won’t matter what machine we use, as improved technique will enable us to get a better result,” he said.
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