Rick VanVranken
As the 2011 season gets underway, before you know it, you will need to apply pesticides. Sprayer calibration is critical to make sure you are applying the correct amounts of pesticide to the target. Miscalculations can turn a small math problem into a costly misapplication, either in applying too much control material that can potentially damage the crop, or too little chemical that does not provide the needed pest control. Ron Patterson, Carbon County Extension Agent with Utah State Cooperative Extension, created several Excel spreadsheet templates that can do the math for you, helping to make the calibration process more productive, safer, and more environmentally friendly.
Boom Sprayer Calibration
Calculations for boom sprayer calibration are tedious at best. This BoomSprayer Calibration Spreadsheet (this one is for smaller sprayers with 1-20 nozzles) helps take the headache out of calibration calculations. For large boom sprayers (21-120 nozzles) download the LargeBoom Sprayer Calibration Spreadsheet. Click on the appropriate link above to download the spreadsheet and then save it to your own computer for repeated use.There are five worksheets (click the tab at the bottom of the screen) in each spreadsheet template.
- The first contains instructions on how to use the spreadsheet.
- The second and third worksheets are to print so you can record the data collected in the calibration procedure--use the "Blank form oz." worksheet to record ounce collection data or the "Blank form ml." sheet to record metric collection data.
- The fourth and fifth worksheets are for entering data so the computer can do the calculations for you. Use "Formulas-oz." worksheet for ounce calculations or use the "Formulas-ml." worksheet for metric calculations.
