Page 39 - GrapevineMarApr 2022

Around The Vineyard

Hartman told The Grapevine Magazine that using on water use. Add in the time saved with fewer
contact materials rather than systemic variations return trips to refill the tanks, less overall mate-
is critical with organic gardening, so it’s essential rial to spread, less time spent on the tractor, less
to get complete coverage that keeps the materi- money spent on fuel, and the advantages of elec-
als on the plant and off the ground. On Target’s trostatic sprayers keep piling up. Environmentally
sprayers are designed and manufactured with speaking, by using less water and concentrated
proprietary electrostatic technology that provides spray, electrostatic prayers result in less runoff,
comprehensive coverage, including the undersides minimal drift and improved chemistry coverage, all
of the leaves and within the clusters, while using essential aspects for moving away from systemic
less water and materials. Their spray booms can treatments and into a more organic way of farm-
be adjusted and turned on and off individually as ing.”
needed. In addition, standard-equipped onboard
rate controllers and GPS modules automatically With increases in sprayer use comes increases in
adjust to the driver’s speed and location, slowing sprayer maintenance. Hartman said that it is obvi-
down or speeding up the spray rate and volume to ous to look for quality, serviceable parts when pur-
keep it at the preferred level, creating a superior chasing a sprayer. Still, as a consumer, you should
consistency in coverage. also look for sprayers offering onboard solutions to
make your daily job easier and more manageable.
“A standard sprayer uses 100 gallons per acre
sprayed, whereas our electrostatic sprayers will use “One of the most important maintenance issues
20 gallons over that same area,” said Hartman. “So with sprayers is rinsing after use,” said Hartman.
we can spray 10 acres on a 200-gallon tank sprayer “On Target’s sprayers feature onboard rinsing
versus only two acres when using a standard spray- tanks that are accessible with the flip of a switch.
er. That’s an immediate opportunity to save money In addition, all the components needed for droplet

877-892-5332 The Grapevine • March - April 2022 Page 37

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