Pictured Above: The Jacksons, who operate an Isaac region cane farm, significantly improved the efficiency of crop protection when they adopted RightSpot®. Bryce (above) and Emma Jackson grow about 350 hectares of sugarcane across six properties with three other family members.
A Queensland cane farming family has significantly improved the efficiency of crop protection with the adoption of precision agriculture technology.
Bryce and Emma Jackson, along with Bryce’s mother Jane and siblings Monique and Mark, grow around 350 hectares of sugarcane across six properties in the Carmila West district, 50 km south of Sarina.
Recently, the Jacksons received a custom-built high-clearance spray tractor designed by Donnelly’s Welding in Mackay. Based on a New Holland T5.100S, the three-wheeled machine features a two-meter clearance and is equipped with precision spraying technology.
“We’ve always wanted a high-rise sprayer to reach crops at the ‘out-of-hand’ stage,” Bryce explains. “That final spray can give us up to six months of weed control.”
The system includes an eight-row flat boom and seven inter-row droppers. A 1400-litre main tank delivers ‘over-the-top’ applications of vine control herbicides such as 2,4-D and fluroxypyr, while a 700-litre secondary tank applies inter-row pre-emergent herbicides like flumioxazin and isoxaflutole.
Precision Control with RightSpot
Both booms are independently controlled by Ag Leader’s RightSpot precision spraying system, which uses pulse width modulation to rapidly open and close each nozzle up to 10 times per second. This maintains consistent pressure and droplet size regardless of speed, improving coverage and reducing drift compared to traditional systems.
“I attended a RightSpot field day and knew we had to have it on our new sprayer. I immediately approached DMD Ag Solutions, our local Ag Leader dealer, about getting RightSpot fitted to our spray tractor during the build,” Bryce says. “If we were already spending $250,000 on the sprayer, it made sense to invest another $80,000 to maximize performance.”
Streamlined Control and Real-Time Monitoring
The Jacksons had already implemented Ag Leader’s SteerCommand® Z2 in their harvester and tractors. Now, all spraying operations are managed through the InCommand® 1200 display, which provides real-time data on speed, pressure, droplet size, and diagnostics.
“I can change application rates or switch from broadcast to band spraying with the flick of a switch,” Bryce says. “Manually, that would take at least an hour.”
He also praises the AutoSwath™ and BoomLoop™ features, which reduce waste and eliminate residue buildup.
“AutoSwath turns nozzles off over previously sprayed rows, and BoomLoop circulates spray back to the tank, preventing blockages. I can flush and prime the system before I even hit the crop,” he explains.
Bryce says the technology has transformed his spraying workload.
“I used to get stressed out about spraying. Now, it’s easier than ever. This is the first year I feel like I’m on top of things.” •
About Ag Leader. A recognized pioneer in the industry, Ag Leader was founded in 1992 and offers a complete line of proven precision farming technology that is easy to use and integrates seamlessly with a farmer’s existing machinery. The company is family owned and operated and solely focused on precision farming technology. Headquartered in Ames, Iowa, Ag Leader is a global company that continues to innovate and automate tasks that optimize field activities across every season.