[Apple-Crop] sprayer calibration debate

Thu Mar 2 15:59:10 EST 2017

My approach here may be a bit unorthodox, but it has produced good results for me. For most materials there are given ranges per acre on the label. I simply use the physical acreage covered by each load to mix. In some blocks my tankload will cover 6 acres, while some narrower row blocks a load will only cover 4 acres. I calculate acres using an old computer program I have, but I think with google earth you can draw out a shape on the satellite image and it will calculate the acreage. 

I also adjust the rate of pesticide used per acre within the allowed range depending on tree size and arrangement. For the narrow row blocks where a tankload covers 4 acres I have found through experience that 3 pounds of captan is sufficient for most applications , meaning that 12 pounds of captan per load is needed. while the wider rows of standard trees approaching 100 years old next to them require the maximum 5 pound per acre rate of captan for consistent scab control. So that trip is covering 6 acres at the 5 pound rate, so a full 30 pounds of captan is needed in that mix. 

I did use simpler numbers for illustration purposes. My real numbers involve pesky fractions that would make the example long and confusing. 

Ernest Rollins
Rollins Orchards
207-717-7057

> On Mar 2, 2017, at 9:15 AM, John Bruguiere <John at DickieBros.com> wrote:
> 
> Hello all, need some healthy practical advice on sprayer calibration.  Specifically air blast sprayers.  For decades we have measured a block of trees to determine acreage, sprayed out tank and determined gallons per acre based on what area was covered in tank. For example trees planted at 8 x 18 spacing gave us 300 trees to acre, we sprayed out tank, counted trees and determined that our sprayer puts out 2.5 acres per tank.  we used this  to determine amount of material to put in the tank etc. All the calibration formulas , I have seen require tree row volume(height x row spacing) to be part of equation.  I have 4-5 different spacings in 100 acres of orchard which makes it more of a headache to constantly figure gallons per acre and spray materials needed in each different block(thus the reason we simply measured trees per acre). I know my speed , i know my gallons per minute but can't find an equation that converts this to gallons per acre without tree row volume.
> 
> need a simple but effective solution...any takers?
> 
> in Virginia we have plums in full bloom, fantasia and red gold nectarines in pink and some open blooms, 21 degrees forecasted on friday and saturday night.
> 
> God Bless,
> 
> John Bruguiere
> 
> Dickie Bros. Orchard
> 
>> On 1/30/2017 6:36 PM, Arthur Kelly wrote:
>> I agree Mo.  We try and remove trees every year and plant every year.  I did use the word can to hedge the productive life of a block.
>> 
>> Sent from my iPhone
>> 
>> On Jan 30, 2017, at 5:48 PM, maurice tougas <appleman.maurice at gmail.com> wrote:
>> 
>>> Art
>>> 
>>> I agree that it's great to be out pruning. I disagree that you should expect a longer productive life with high density systems. My goal here is to be looking at replanting when the orchard reaches twenty years or so. New varieties, strains of varieties and improved planting system encourage 5% renewal in my opinion. 
>>> 
>>> My best to you
>>> Mo Tougas
>>> 
>>> On Mon, Jan 30, 2017 at 1:27 PM, George Greene <cortland9 at icloud.com> wrote:
>>>> Art:
>>>> 
>>>> Your comment makes sense to me.  Right now I have a cold and I fell on the ice on Dec. 29th and I am still suffering.  Pt may help but it may take a while.
>>>> 
>>>> I suppose that you are enjoying the warmer weather.
>>>> 
>>>> Be well, George
>>>> 
>>>>> On Jan 30, 2017, at 12:43 PM, kellyorchards <kellyorchards at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>> 
>>>>> Ruminations after a morning pruning.  The weather is ideal.  The temps are in the high 20's, the wind is light and the sun is shining.  Weather like this is why we live here.  Permanent limbs ultimately and inevitably get too large.  This is why high density systems can have a longer productive life than less dense orchards.
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> Art Kelly
>>>>> Kelly Orchards
>>>>> Acton, Maine
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>> apple-crop mailing list
>>>>> apple-crop at virtualorchard.com
>>>>> http://virtualorchard.com/mailman/listinfo/apple-crop
>>>> 
>>>> George Greene
>>>> 68 Willow Lane
>>>> Wiscasset, ME 04578
>>>> 207-882-8074
>>>> cortland9 at icloud.com
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
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>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> -- 
>>> Maurice Tougas
>>> Tougas Family Farm
>>> Northborough,MA 01532
>>> 508-450-0844
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>>> apple-crop at virtualorchard.com
>>> http://virtualorchard.com/mailman/listinfo/apple-crop
>> 
>> 
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