Interview with Michael Eva
In the vast agricultural landscapes of Australia, where precision is key to a successful harvest, spraying plays a crucial role. Michael Eva of Roseworthy Farms, which spans 4,400 hectares growing crops such as wheat, barley, canola, lupins, and vetch, realized that modern technology could help him address the challenges of effective spraying. By upgrading to a sprayer with BBLeap technology, he’s been able to optimize his spraying operations and improve coverage.
“The biggest advantage? I’ve got more control over what I’m doing. BBLeap gives me the precision and confidence to get it right every time.” – Michael Eva
Farm Facts Roseworthy
Location: Brookton, WA, Australia
Owner: Michael Eva
BBLeap user since: 2023
Crops: Wheat, barley, canola, lupins, and vetch
Hectares: 4,400
Functionalities: Leapbox
Sprayer: Calibre Leap edition
The challenges of spraying at Roseworthy Farms
Spraying is never without its challenges, especially on a farm of this size. Michael faces a number of difficulties, including undulating terrain and obstacles like rocks and trees.
“Another challenge in spraying is trying to fit it into ideal weather conditions. For example, we can’t spray if it’s too hot or the humidity is too low,” Michael explains. “And in autumn and winter, we have to worry about temperature inversions, because your chemical doesn’t end up where you want it to.” According to Michael, the biggest challenge was always getting good coverage on the weeds you’re targeting.
“With BBLeap, the difference is clear—uniform coverage across every corner of the field” – Michael Eva
Enhanced precision and resource efficiency
With BBLeap, Michael has not only improved the efficiency of his spraying operations but also optimized coverage. A noticeable benefit has been the more uniform coverage, especially in challenging areas like headlands or field corners. “The corners look much better now,” Michael notes. “You’d notice a difference because with the individual nozzle control and the turn compensation, you would get an even coverage on the outside of the boom and you’re not getting that overspray on the inside when you’re turning. Whereas the old boom without the BBLeap system didn’t have that, so the inside would kill a crop, and the outside would be full of weeds, because you haven’t got a high enough rate applied.”
This improvement is thanks to the precision nozzle control provided by the BBLeap system, which ensures even coverage across the entire field. Michael finds that the system offers him greater control. “I can monitor exactly how much water is being applied per hectare and adjust the spray settings to match the conditions,” he explains. This ability to fine-tune the application helps him cover large areas more efficiently while maintaining consistent results.
BBLeap: the solution for better control and efficiency.
The main reason Michael chose BBLeap was for its individual nozzle control and turn compensation feature. This ensures that the edges and corners of the field, where sprayers often over-apply or under-apply chemicals, receive consistent coverage.
The system also makes it easier to control the spray quality. Michael can adjust the droplet size and spraying speed without worrying about fluctuations in pressure. “Just being able to set your droplet size and spray at a constant speed, not having to worry about your pressure changing makes my coverage so much better. Now I know my spray pattern is correct,” says Michael.
Moreover, the system is user-friendly. “How does it work? I’ll fill a tank up, push the on button and drive,” Michael laughs. The BBLeap technology ensures that the correct amount of water per hectare is sprayed based on the settings Michael chooses. It automatically adjusts the spraying parameters.
Future possibilities
The BBLeap system has already delivered significant benefits for Michael and his farm, but he sees even more possibilities for the future. While he isn’t yet using drones or cameras, he’d like to add these technologies down the line to further improve the precision of his spraying. “If we can integrate drones or cameras for green-on-green technology in the future, and being able to spot spray. Huge benefits, potentially,” Michael says.
Precision and control for sustainable agriculture
Configure your full solution now
A retrofit is possible to just about any brand and kind of sprayer. Learn more about
the possibilities of Farming At Plant Level with your sprayer.
Continue here
Explore more stories.
Customer Experience
Rick Carpenter: “The smooth ride of the Calibre boom, combined with BBLeap’s advanced nozzle control, creates a system that excels in both accuracy and consistency – critical factors for effective and efficient crop management.”
Customer Experience
Spray operator at Knud’s Farm: “Another advantage? Just simplicity. It saves thinking, which means I can put anyone in the driver’s seat. The computer is actually doing half of the job for the driver and the driver just has to point the sprayer in the right direction.”
Customer Experience
Spray operator at Chad Davidson: “I used to drive into all the corners to ensure coverage. But by doing that, the chances of destroying my crops was high. Now the system does the work for me, saving both time and crops.”