01/12/2014
Media Statement
Growers quickly get on to Snapcard
Growers have quickly taken up Snapcard which is the new smartphone App designed to help broadacre farmers optimise pesticide spray efficiency. Uptake of the tool has been rapid with the SnapCard phone app downloaded by over 700 users since January 2014.
SnapCard is the latest outcome of a strong research collaboration between DAFWA’s entomology group and the Applied Entomology program at the University of Western Australia, led by Associate Professor Christian Nansen.
The development of the phone App was supported by funding from the Council of Grain Grower Organisations (COGGO). COGGO Chairman Mr Chris Wilkins said the COGGO Board is pleased that funding decisions are hitting the mark with another research product being well received by growers and industry.
Adoption of SnapCard has been developed by Associate Professor Christian Nansen who has conducted a considerable number of presentations at grower group events. He has also run sessions at two AusChem events where 70 trainers received both a theoretical presentation and a practical session on how to use SnapCard.
DAFWA senior entomologist Rob Emery said SnapCard is a valuable decision support tool which also allowed growers to assess the performance of pesticide spray applications.
“Spray applications are an important cost for growers and prior to SnapCard there were no quantitative procedures available to predict or measure efficacy and performance,” Mr Emery said.
“The app predicts spray coverage based on tractor speed, size of spray nozzles, spray volume, and addition of adjuvant, and weather conditions including temperature, humidity and wind speed.
The free App is available for iPhone, iPad and Android smartphones and tablets.
Users have the option to create an account and log into the SnapCard website on a DAFWA server where data can be synchronised and archived. This allows users to look back at long-forgotten treatment profiles for future seasons while satisfying Department of Health regulations.
SnapCard can be downloaded from Apple iTunes or the Google Play app stores. More information is available from http://agspsrap31.agric.wa.gov.au/snapcard/#&ui-state=dialog
Media Contacts:
For information on the use of Snapcard contact:
Christian Nansen
Associate Professor
The University of Western Australia
Phone: 08 6488 8672
Rob Emery
Senior Entomologist
Department of Agriculture Western Australia
Phone: 0404 819 601
For information on COGGO contact:
Chris Wilkins
Chair COGGO Limited
Phone: 0427 940 925
Email: cwilkins@synergyco.com.au
Hugh.Lennerts
Company Secretary COGGO Limited
Phone: (08) 9310 2636
Fax: (08) 6102 3757
Email: hugh.lennerts@coggo.net.au
Photo 1 (3a) Caption
Associate Professor Christian Nansen running a hands-on Snapcard session with AusChem.
Photo 2 (3b) Caption
Dave Emery using the Snapcard App
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