Spray drift is avoidable, with many technologies available to reduce unwanted drift, regardless of the application.
This was the message from Rory Roten, of Lincoln Agritech Ltd, to those attending the CROPS 2014 expo at the Foundation for Arable Research's Chertsey site last week.
Mr Roten had hoped to demonstrate some of the latest equipment available but when the sophisticated camera arrived just before the expo, it was not compatible with his computer.
Deposition did not have to be compromised to avoid drift, and drift reduction technologies could save time and money while ensuring responsible application, he said.
Modification and proper calibration could be an inexpensive means of reducing the potential of spray drifting.
Equipment could determine what plant it was passing over and spray the species required, while leaving other plants, Mr Roten said.
Examples of drift reduction technologies included specific nozzle design, solution adjuvants, droplet enhancers and directed solution placement such as drop leg, drop spray, wicks and spray hoods.
Spray hoods had historically been impractical to use, because of the prospect of damaging the crop, he said.
With the advancement of sustainable practices and precision guidance equipment, spray hoods were yet another option for farmers and farm managers to consider.
Other advantages of spray hoods included economic savings in both fuel and operator time as multiple spray solutions could be sprayed simultaneously.