Marty Hedlund, Vineyard Manager
(707) 291-5153, Wine Grapes
"We have been using the ON-Target electrostatic spray system since 2000 at the Dehlinger Winery. The characteristic that best describes our machine is efficient. Examples of this efficiency include time and deposition/coverage. Time efficiency is measured comparing ON-Target to conventional air-blast sprayers. The 100 gallon tank on the ON-Target equipped sprayer covers 8 acres in full canopy. The 300 gallon tank on our conventional sprayer covers 2.4-3 acres in full canopy.
The On-Target equipped sprayer travels 3.5 mph, 0.5-1.0 mph faster than the conventional sprayer. Turn-around time for filling is greatly reduced and under our conditions ground speed is faster. Deposition and coverage are superior with the ON-Target equipped sprayer. Several elements contribute to these features and include droplet size, air delivery system, and electrostatic charging of the spray. The mist-sized droplets are "placed" in the target zone with a compressor or blower and there they stay. It is fascinating to watch the "placed" and electrostatically charged spray migrate to the target, not unlike electrostatic spray painting. A study conducted by California Department of Pesticide Regulation demonstrated that the ON-Target system had significantly better deposition than conventional air-blast or fan delivered sprayers and it is easily observed.
Improved coverage has been demonstrated by spraying U.V. dye and checking the results with a portable black light—it is overwhelming. An important benefit in addition to the efficiency is that spraying is now one of our quietest machine operations. I am able to spray at night when I am most comfortable and not bother the neighbors. I do the spraying and it is painful to consider disease and pest management without our ON-Target equipped sprayer."
James Deville
(831) 596-9904, Wine Grapes
"We have been using the ON-Target electrostatic spray system at J&L Farms for three years. We are currently spraying approximately 3000 acres per season using four sprayers. Our two-row ON-Target sprayers travel 4 mph hour and spray 20 Gallons per acre; we cover 200 acres per day.
We use Vintre Oil at a 1% solution applying 20 gallons of water per acre adding pesticides or miticides when necessary. One of the characteristics that best describes our sprayers is efficiency. They are efficient because they save time, reduce water consumption, reduce chemical volume and provide excellent coverage. Due to the low horsepower demand of the sprayers (33 PTO) and the ability to drive every other row we are conserving fuel, reducing compaction and extending tractor life. I don't understand why anyone would want to spray any other way."
Jim Cuneo, Manager
(707) 431-4811, Wine Grapes
"We have always been innovators, but when electrostatic sprayers first showed up, we were not impressed," explained Jim Cuneo. All that changed was the ON-Target electrostatic spray nozzles. Cuneo said he convinced the owners to try the technology on a wide range of problems.
"ON-Target's latest version works with almost everything we use, even some of the powdered products," said Cuneo. "I can't even think of a negative to this system."
Cuneo has used several versions of the ON-Target nozzles and is now testing his third system. Cuneo uses the equipment on about 200 acres of the vineyard, mainly with white varieties. The ON-Target system gave the vineyard control first of its mildew infestations.
"We had no problems this year" said Cuneo. Robert Young Vineyards did not need late-season 'clean-up' sprays for mildew the last two years. Other vineyards had struggled with mildew damage this year.
Cuneo tested an oil-based option for mite control as harvest approached on one block of the vineyard, dropping the sulfur application.
"It worked so well that we did not have to use any miticides in the second year," he said. Robert Young Vineyards also found they could add a fungicide to the oil application and both remained effective, saving in labor.
Doug Price, Viticulturist
(707) 974-3800, Wine Grapes
"We started testing the ON-Target spray nozzles in the 1990's and now have three systems," said Doug Price.
"We now get better coverage and use less water than in the past," added Keith Horn. "We reduced water use from 50 gallons per acre to 20."
Horn also stated that this also reduces labor costs since there are fewer re-fill trips needed. How does Clos du Bois feel about ON-Target's effectiveness?
"We are using it for all our fungicides and some insecticides," said Horn.
Recently, the vineyard has been very successful controlling powdery mildew, a serious California grape disease. He credits the system's better coverage, even on the leaf's underside, for improving their control of the mildew. They also use the sprayer on their two leading insect pests – the leafhopper and mites – though the latter is not a problem every year. They have seen hopper populations drop 85% with ON-Target system's coverage.
Kevin Koebsell, Manager
(707) 321-8508, Wine Grapes
"In order to foster better relations with those living close to our operations, we felt it imperative that we minimize both the spray drift and the noise generated by our spraying. The ON-Target sprayer we purchased did both jobs beautifully. Not only was drift virtually eliminated, but the noise of the sprayer could not be heard above the tractor's engine. Couple this with the fact that we have reduced our spray rates by 25-30% as opposed to our conventional sprayers and you have a classic win-win situation."
Brandon Axell, Manager
(707) 696-0239, Wine Grapes
"We have been very impressed by the spray coverage that is provided with the ON-Target electrostatic system. Progressive Grower Technologies helped us build a full three-row sprayer and we are able to cover acreage fast with great spray penetration and low water volume usage. We have used the lower recommended rates with all products and have been successful in having no mildew or botrytis issues. This system is also a plus to use for our neighbor relationships: there is minimal drift potential and noise is basically no louder than the tractor engine."
Mike Brunson
(707) 756-2506, Wine Grapes
Mike Brunson finds the ON-Target nozzle a perfect fit with their more sustainable approach to growing. "This is exactly the product we were looking for," said Brunson. He is even using the system for materials he never imagined. The first success was controlling diseases such as botrytis, phomopsis, and mildew.
Richard Bennett
(559) 284-0519, Blueberries
"My current operation includes 100 acres of blueberries and I've been using an ON-Target sprayer. I spent quite some time looking at sprayers and found that an electrostatic machine would be the most efficient.
I researched a number of options and ultimately decided that ON-Target was the best option available. The ON-Target sprayer produces a very fine mist with a consistent droplet. After using traditional spray systems over a number of years on not only blueberries but cherries and other crops, I was frustrated with the machines' inconsistencies. Regular sprayers produce water droplets of varying sizes, which means irregular chemical applications. As a result, you use a higher volume of water and chemicals, which costs time and money.
The ON-Target sprayer eliminates that issue by providing a uniform droplet. An added benefit is that the rig itself is very quiet and easy to maneuver, so I've been able to use it at night without having issues with neighbors. ON-Target also provides exceptional customer service. A technician came out, helped me set the sprayer up and is willing to come on-site as needed to assist with maintenance and troubleshooting. Overall, the ON-Target sprayer has been the right decision for my operation. I plan on using it next in the mandarin grove and expect to see the same consistent performance and reduction in water use and chemicals as I see now with the blueberries."
Joe Coehlo
(805) 310-8082, Strawberries
"DB Specialty Farms grows 730 acres of strawberries in Santa Maria, CA, northern Santa Barbara County. One of our greatest issues has been the inconsistent delivery of water and chemicals to the underside of our strawberry leaves. In our part of the state, we battle the two-spotted spider mite and the underside of the leaf is where these pests reside.
Conventional sprayers would create a mist that resulted in deflection off other leaves, but water was not actually hitting the under surface. As a result, in 2008 I spent upwards of $915 per acre in miticides alone.
After last season, it was very apparent that I needed to consider other options. We tested the ON-Target sprayers, along with other electrostatic systems. Going with ON-Target became a relatively easy decision given the ease of operation and maintenance, along with the rig's overall reliable performance. Other electrostatic sprayers required two to three hours of maintenance and cleaning after each use. My crew and I just don't have that kind of time. In addition, the uniformity of the spray droplets has had a transformational impact on tackling the two-spotted spider mite issue. Not only does the ON-Target sprayer ensure that the miticides reaches the underside of the leaves, but it also uses less chemicals. We had almost a 100% kill rate following our first application using this new sprayer. I honestly can't say enough good things about it. It really is the best investment we've made in managing the extreme pest pressure we battle every year."
Brian Wallingford
(805) 391-3409, Wine Grapes
"Mesa Vineyard Management oversees vineyards all along the Central Coast, in Monterey, San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties. In total, we manage approximately 5,000 acres of wine grapes across the three counties. Six years ago, one of our Shandon growers began using an On Target three-row sprayer, and from the very beginning, had nothing but good things to say about the machine.
Since then, a number of managers have invested in On Target machines. The primary reason for switching was the system's use of ultra-low volumes of water and chemicals in correlation to the ample plant coverage.
I currently operate a 300-gallon sprayer that operates at 15 gallons per acre, allowing me to cover 20 acres in one pass as opposed to just 10 acres with a traditional rig. The electrostatic properties are key, making uniform water droplets that adhere to the plants. The efficiency correlates directly to the reduction in water use. For instance, at our San Ardo vineyard, we were battling an outbreak of the pacific mite starting back in 2004. At the time, using a conventional sprayer, we were applying treatments up to five times.
Once we purchased the On Target sprayer, we were able to reduce applications down to three, two and now only once each year to treat for pacific mites. We noticed the reduction in water use almost immediately. We went from applying over 100 gallons per acre down to only 30 gallons per acre. That type of decrease has meant that the machine has paid for itself in just two years. When you consider the savings from water use, that we are now using the low-end rates for all fungicides, which also saves money – and our labor efficiencies, the On Target sprayer is well worth the up-front costs. Eventually, as rigs wear out and need to be replaced, we'll outfit the entire company with On Target sprayers. It just makes good business sense since nothing else works like it."
James Deville
(831) 596-9904, Wine Grapes
"J&L Farms is currently growing 1,600 acres of wine grapes for Lockwood Vineyard and another 1,300 acres for Diageo Chateau Estate and Wines. We've got 5 ON-Target sprayers used on all of the vineyards. Given the number of plots we manage, it was important that we have a system that was efficient, easy to transport from location to location and worked reliably.
We currently operate on a 10-day spray schedule, 60 acres per day per machine, for a total of 300 acres each day. The ON-Target system enables us to maintain our schedule without wasting time, water or materials. The coverage of the machines is unlike anything else. The electrical charge ensures that the drop sticks to the bottom of the plant's leaves, ensuring the water and applied chemicals are properly absorbed.
The current machine uses 15 gallons per acre of water and chemicals. At one point, we conducted our own test to determine the highest efficiency and ran 15 gallons per acre, 20 gallons per acre and 50 gallons per acre through our machines. Ultimately, at 15 gallons per acre we saw the needed results without compromising the plants. This saves time and money for water, chemicals and labor. For some growers, the cost up front can be a factor in not considering ON-Target. In the end, I think you come out ahead by having this sprayer. The amount of money you save in fertilizer and other chemicals, water, man-power and maintenance makes it worth it. These machines require about 20 hours of upkeep each year, which may seem like a lot compared to other rigs, but again, the time is worth it for the results. Even taking more time to maintain them, you still save more money in the long run by reducing the number of times and amount you spray. I haven't found anything that works better."
Ryan Boucher
Cotton, Alfalfa
"For over 2 years we tried to get one of our largest customers to let us try the ON–Target system on his cotton for the layby miticide spray. He didn't believe that 5 gallons per acre would work, but allowed us to try ON–Target on 600 of 1500 acres of seed alfalfa. His other 900 acres were applied by air. Three weeks after the application, the 900 air applied acres had to be re-sprayed. The farmer said the residual for the miticide was about 40% longer by using ON–Target. He was so happy with the ON–Target results that he had us do 10,000 acres of cotton this year. As expected, he saw the same results on his cotton as he had on his alfalfa."