90 | Accurate spraying & spreading services Spreading capital fert at Alphaburn Station. Bernadette Cooney At the heart of Jimmy Pyle’s agricultural spraying and spreading business in Central Otago is a commitment to precision agriculture. Owner and founder of Precision Works (2013) Ltd, Jimmy and his team provide accurate spraying and spreading services throughout the Maniototo, Ida Valley, Omakau, and Upper Clutha regions. Specialising in precision spraying and spreading, Precision Works has evolved from a small-scale direct drilling business to a vital player in agchem and nutrient efficiency across Central Otago. “We could see the opportunity for more accurate application leading to better yields and lower costs for farmers,” says Jimmy. The company’s machinery is equipped with auto-guidance and section control technology, ensuring that every paddock is tram-lined, and every application, all vehicles are synced within the cloud, so once a paddock has been sprayed or spread, the tramlines are saved so that a spring nitrogen application on cereals can be applied on the same tramlines before the sprayer has been in the paddock. Boundaries and exclusion zones are created by each operator in real time so fertiliser or agchem can not be applied into risk areas like waterways and troughs. This focus on precision has resulted in a significant reduction in overlaps and wastage, making Precision Works up to 15 percent more accurate than manually operated systems. “We’re all about efficiencies,” says Jimmy. “Everything’s auto steered. So, for agricultural spraying for example – on a consistent basis we’re spraying paddocks out at about 98% accuracy. So that’s a two percent overlap and the same with our spreaders.” “When you compare that to a manually operated spray or fertiliser truck , in a lot of cases we are 15 percent more accurate.” For farmers, this accuracy translates into considerable savings. “Whether you’re a dairy, sheep, or cropping farmer, spraying 100 hectares with glyphosate and using a machine overlapping by two percent, that’s a $5/ha just in glyphosate, let alone application costs,” he says. “Imagine the savings in fertiliser applied accurately.” This efficiency is crucial in today’s farming environment, where every dollar spent must deliver maximum value. RURAL SERVICES » Precision Works Jimmy’s background as a farmer gives him unique insight into the needs and challenges faced by his clients. Owning a 200-hectare mixed cropping and dairy support farm in the Ida Valley, Jimmy understands the importance of nutrient efficiency and accurate application Precision Works employs a full-time tractor dedicated to applying One System nitrogen, which follows dairy cows weekly between Omakau and Patearoa. In trials, One System has been shown to double the efficiency of urea applied to pasture in independent trials. “One System uses prilled urea which is ten times smaller than granulated urea,” says Jimmy. “So, you get ten times better coverage with every stage its applied and you only need half a mill of moisture for the prilled urea to dissolve, whereas a granule needs 6 mills.” One System, which uses prilled urea and a urease inhibitor, ensures that 85% of the nitrogen applied is effectively utilised by pasture and crops-a 30% improvement over traditional methods. Pleased to support Precision Works Enquiries: Johnny Duncan | 027 327 2372 This firsthand experience allows Precision Works (2013) Ltd to deliver technically proficient services that are aligned with the practical realities of farming. Precision Works currently employs two full-time staff members who do a fantastic job. “We have a great team, and the boys are highly skilled and reliable operators,” says Jimmy.
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