Technical
Dedicated kit bag for all the operators PPE
satellite picture using NDVI technology, for example, could identify the amount of vegetation present on a street and its vigour, which would tell a spray team when to start and guide what would be required. Nathan’s a self‐confessed weather app junkie, and highlights that improved accuracy and precision of weather forecasting has been one of the major gains for spraying operations in recent years. Being able to get ahead of weather events is a huge step in effective timing, whilst better formulations are more rainfast and still achieve good results if it rains after application. He also reported better glyphosate results from spraying outside of
High flying weed control
All knapsack sprayers are individually numbered to reference back to calibration records and operations
the heat of the day, when plants tend to shut down.
“The weather is clearly the key factor in everything we do, but understanding all other aspects of spraying and weed control better, means that we can manage its influences more effectively,” he added.
Public perception
Nathan advocated openness and clear communication with the public is key to avoiding conflict and criticism of spraying practice. If you explain directly what, how and why you are doing it the reception is invariably positive. Training of staff is an important step, along with a clean, tidy and
through careful management and selective mowing regime, has become home to a wide range of birds, small mammals and insects ‐ which Nathan is passionate about protecting and promoting.
And, to further impinge on spraying operations, by the nature of the airfield’s open site, it’s almost always subject to windy conditions.
Under the shadow of a Hawker Hurricane at North Weald Airfield in Essex, AFSOY Winner, Nathan Hume of S H Goss Ltd, explained the site poses particular challenges for herbicide treatments. The Civil Aviation Authority demands a zero‐tolerance of weeds on the thirty hectares of runway, taxi areas and surrounds of the Council‐owned operational airfield for small and light commercial flights. However, from its 1916 Royal Flying Corps origins, and further development for its key role in the Battle of Britain as home of the Hurricanes for the British, American and Norwegian squadrons, the miles of expansion joints in the vast area of concrete is under constant invasion from grass and broad‐leaved weeds.
Any control treatments have to fit in with the airfield’s busy flying schedule, and demand meticulous attention to detail to ensure there is no possible risk to aircraft operations during or after the work. Furthermore, the large area of relatively undisturbed grassland across the site is also a really important ecological asset that,
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“If that all sounds like too much hassle to be worthwhile, it’s probably my favourite site to work on,” enthused Nathan. “To be up here at 4.00am on a beautiful summer morning, it’s incredibly peaceful and yet really alive with wildlife, including owls and kestrels hunting ‐ and then knowing it’s going to be buzzing with activity when I’ve moved on by 9.00am. It’s rewarding to be part of something that keeps the site in operation.”
Targeted glyphosate
The weed control is based on targeted glyphosate applications, programmed for three treatments per season, but with options to be called in for further work if the season demands. “We need to be flexible to start working once any weeds are actively growing in the spring, and then monitoring to respond for any new growth as the year progresses.”
“If we think weather conditions are likely to have initiated new weed growth, we’ll come in for an inspection and liaise closely with the site’s managers, with whom we have a really good working relationship,” he added. “From both an environmental and economic cost perspective, we are looking to make as few treatments as possible; which means getting the best results we can through better timing and targeting.” Most of the treatments made are using
Safety information easily referenced
professional approach that instils confidence in the public perception of sprayer operators. “There are lots of pairs of eyes watching you; you have to be 100% right all the time,” he said. “That’s not a bad thing, as we should always be aiming to do it right, but you do need to be conscious of it.” He reported that contact details and information are supplied on public prior notifications of some spraying operations, particularly in sensitive areas. However, even with recent publicity over glyphosate use, he has rarely had a phone call and no public conflicts that could not be allayed with truthful information ‐ including referencing the Amenity Forum’s support.
the Landrover mounted sprayer, which typically takes two or three early mornings to complete the main runway spraying, with further work on the fence lines and industrial building surrounds ‐ including huge historic hangers, where there’s still the visible signs of Luftwaffe bullet holes from wartime attacks.
Having a camera mounted on the Landrover bumper and a screen in the cab means that Nathan can see exactly what is being treated, and where sprays can be selectively targeted.
The sprayer is fitted with drift reduction nozzles that can help ensure spray stays on target, but he’s conscious of getting the right balance between water volume and droplet size with the bigger bubble‐jet type nozzles, and the need to avoid overwetting weed leaves that could lead to run off and reduced efficacy.
His experience has been that high quality herbicide formulations may initially appear more expensive, compared to some generic glyphosate counterparts, but could give an important extra edge in performance, particularly in more challenging weed control situations.
“Grass weeds with waxy leaf surfaces can be difficult, especially when some are small or just emerging,” he pointed out. “We are always looking at innovative techniques and new developments in nozzle technology that could help achieve consistently better results in difficult situations.”
Meeting the challenges created by the airfield exemplifies why Nathan Hume was successful in the AFSOY Awards, and some of the lessons that can be applied to get the best possible results safely and effectively for the operator, the public and the environment with every application.
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