Friday, 02 February 2024 08:55

Reduce your weed burden

Written by  Mark Daniel
Rotowiper system claims to apply more chemical onto the plant than any other type of weed wiper applicator. Rotowiper system claims to apply more chemical onto the plant than any other type of weed wiper applicator.

Weed wiping has taken many formats over the last 50 years or more, with some systems achieving much better results than others.

The Ashburton-manufactured Rotowiper system applies more chemical onto the plant than any other type of weed wiper applicator, delivering sufficient chemical to kill problem weeds in a single pass across the paddock.

The exceptional results, alongside reduced running costs and less chemical use compared to conventional spraying, raises the question why some farmers are not reducing their weed burden with such an efficient tool.

With land values rising or even holding, giving over paddocks to weeds is hard to understand, with some farmers still failing to realise that problem weeds will not disappear on their own and there is an actual cost attached to letting them to survive. Weeds will choke out your grasses and clovers, resulting in reduced production, meaning reduced revenue and profit margin.

For a small capital outlay, the addition of a Rotowiper to a farm’s machinery fleet allows users to tackle this problem in a cost-effective manner, with the concept on using expensive chemicals when the problem weed encounters the applicator roller.

The efficacy of the application is also greatly improved as the machine applies chemical to the more vulnerable underside of the leaf and the plant stem.

There are also ecological benefits as there is no spray drift, so applications can be undertaken even on windy days, there is no need for a blanket coverage as the applicator only applies chemical to the weeds that sit above the crop.

Evolving since its introduction, larger Rotowipers have been added to the range, with the 9-metre FU 900 three point linkage machine released in 2022, while 12-metre machines have become more common and bespoke machines created with a 24-metre working width.

As technology has evolved, these larger machines can now be equipped with auto functions and easy to use electric over hydraulic controls.

www.rotowiper.com

More like this

Hose runner saves time and effort

Rakaia-based equipment manufacturer Pluck’s Engineering will soon start production of a new machine designed to simplify the deployment and retrieval of temporary water troughs used in winter break feeding.

Case IH partners with Meet the Need

Tractor manufacturer and distributor Case IH has announced a new partnership with Meet the Need, the grassroots, farmer-led charity working to tackle food insecurity across New Zealand one meal at a time.

Canterbury farmer saves time with spreader upgrade

With a focus on producing their own on-farm dairy feed requirements, it would be safe to say that the Fleming family are no strangers to a fertiliser spreader on their North Canterbury farm, near Culverden.

The JAC of all trades at National Fieldays

Already causing a stir in the burgeoning ute sector, JAC (“Jack”) has raised its profile by being named as the latest major sponsor of June’s National Fieldays, where it will officially introduce its top-of-the-line T9 4WD double cab ute to the market, joining its fleet of 100% EV and Cummins diesel trucks.

New Holland combines crack 50 years

New Holland is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the introduction its Twin Rotor threshing and separation technology, which has evolved from a single model in 1975 to a range today, led by the new CR10 and CR11.

Featured

Case IH partners with Meet the Need

Tractor manufacturer and distributor Case IH has announced a new partnership with Meet the Need, the grassroots, farmer-led charity working to tackle food insecurity across New Zealand one meal at a time.

25 years on - where are they now?

To celebrate 25 years of the Hugh Williams Memorial Scholarship, Ravensdown caught up with past recipients to see where their careers have taken them, and what the future holds for the industry.

Rockit Global appoints COO

Rockit Global has appointed Ivan Angland as its new chief operating officer as it continues its growth strategy into 2025.

National

Machinery & Products

Iconic TPW Woolpress turns 50!

The company behind the iconic TPW Woolpress, which fundamentally changed the way wool is baled in Australia and New Zealand,…

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Keep it up

OPINION: The good fight against "banking wokery" continues with a draft bill to scrap the red tape forcing banks and…

We're OK!

OPINION: Despite the volatility created by the shoot-from-the-hip trade tariff 'stratefy' being deployed by the new state tenants in the…

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter