Introduction

Precision agriculture technology continues to revolutionize the farming industry, and Saskatchewan farmer Carl deConinck Smith is no stranger to adopting the latest innovations. This summer, he's partnering with Geco Engineering, a Vancouver-based company, to test a cutting-edge digital tool that provides precise weed control solutions like never before. In this article, we will delve into the realm of high-tech weed control, offering farmers a glimpse into the world of precision spraying and its remarkable capabilities.  

Geco's High-Tech Solution for Strategic Agriculture

The tool developed by Geco Engineering uses a combination of data from satellites, drones, and farm equipment, along with artificial intelligence and machine learning techniques. The data collected helps drive complex agronomic models that predict weed emergence and spread within fields. By season's end, Geco aims to provide deConinck Smith with predictive spray maps, allowing him to pinpoint areas of weed infestation and herbicide resistance. The primary purpose of this technology is to enable farmers to be more strategic in their weed management efforts using high-tech weed control methods. Instead of wasting money on blanket herbicide applications, the tool empowers farmers to focus their resources where they are needed most. DeConinck Smith shares his enthusiasm for the technology, highlighting how it can target specific problem areas, saving both time and money on the farm. Geco's technology offers significant cost-saving potential for farmers in high-tech weed control. By providing precise spray maps, the tool can reduce herbicide use by up to 60% while still achieving 90-95% weed control, depending on the farmer's objectives. It not only improves weed control for the current season but also aids in preventing herbicide resistance in the future.  

Solution for Early Detection and Precision Management

Herbicide resistance is a growing concern for farmers worldwide, resulting in substantial financial losses. Geco's technology comes to the rescue with an app that can detect patches of herbicide-resistant weeds. The app relies on similar data and agronomic modeling to produce maps that help crop scouts identify and verify herbicide resistance within a field. Early detection of herbicide resistance is crucial in preventing its spread, and Geco's app provides a directed scouting tool that assists farmers in locating resistant patches early on. With localized management strategies like spot spraying, mowing, and other tactics, farmers can control the spread of herbicide-resistant weeds, prolonging the effectiveness of herbicide products. Geco Engineering has been actively validating its high-tech weed control technology on commercial farms in Western Canada, the United States, and South America through pilot programs and field trials. The company is now in the early stages of commercialization and is also exploring potential partnerships to incorporate their technology into existing software platforms.   Final Words As farmers strive to achieve greater precision and efficiency in their weed control efforts, tools like Geco's digital solution offer a promising glimpse into the future of agriculture. With the ability to predict weed emergence, detect herbicide resistance, and create targeted spray maps, this high-tech approach empowers farmers like Carl deConinck Smith to stay ahead of the game and maximize their yields while minimizing costs.