International
2009 Campaign Completed
Images courtesy of maximvanpraag@gmail.com
We have now successfully completed our 2009 campaign and are in a position to analyse the data that has been produced by the train. From these findings we are already beginning to see familiar trends to those shown last year which were already groundbreaking for the industry.
These include:
- Year on year weed coverage decreases with annual drops ranging on average at 5% per annum.
- Herbicide usage has once again been reduced by around 20% compared to 2008 (this can be attributed to the utilisation of the previous years weed-maps).
- When compared to conventional blanket treatments, the train is currently using upwards of 80% less herbicide.
- The increased treatment speeds offered by the train have allowed for greater distances of track to be treated each year in a shorter time scale than with conventional sprayers.
Between now and next year, we will now sit down and accurately plan 2010’s applications according to this years weed-maps that the train produced. By doing so we will optimise pre-residual treatments and drive down herbicide usage even further than during 2009.
As we are always assessing new developments in order to enhance the train, we are constantly striving to improve and stay ahead of the market. These include everything from Gyroscopic global positioning systems to Thermographic cameras.
2010 is now an exciting prospect as we wait to see how we can build upon the already astounding results that have been produced by the train.