Objective
This study aims to assess the economic viability and practical application of spot spray technology for weed control during pre-seed herbicide treatments, with a focus on its performance within grain production systems. It will evaluate the effectiveness of spot spray technology in delivering precise, targeted weed control compared to conventional blanket spraying methods and analyze the associated economic benefits arising from reduced herbicide use, including input cost savings and potential impacts on operational efficiency. Furthermore, the study will compare the overall economic outcomes of adopting spot spray technology versus traditional spraying practices, considering factors such as grain yield, production costs, and net returns to determine its profitability and long-term sustainability for grain producers.
Project Description
An on-farm trial conducted near Wilkie, Saskatchewan in 2025 demonstrated that both Broadcast and See + Spray (spot spray) pre-seed herbicide application methods provided substantial and comparable reductions in weed density. Volunteer wheat, the dominant species across all replications, was effectively controlled by both treatments, with no statistically significant differences observed at two weeks after application. Minor weed species were present at low densities and showed similar reductions under both systems, showing no statistical significance between the two treatments.
Importantly, the similarity in weed control outcomes translated into equivalent agronomic performance. Canola yield did not differ between treatments, averaging 64.5 bu/ac for Broadcast and 64.4 bu/ac for See + Spray. Likewise, grain quality parameters—including thousand kernel weight, test weight, protein, moisture, green seed, and oil content—were statistically similar between treatments. These results indicate that the use of spot spray technology did not negatively impact crop performance under the conditions of this study.
From a practical standpoint, the findings suggest that spot spray technology can provide weed control comparable to traditional broadcast applications in pre-seed burnoff scenarios while maintaining yield and grain quality. Given that spot spraying has the potential to reduce herbicide use, input costs, and environmental impact, it represents a viable alternative for producers, particularly in years or fields with patchy weed pressure.However, adoption decisions should consider factors such as initial equipment investment, field size, weed distribution patterns, and long-term herbicide resistance management strategies. Based on the results of this trial, producers operating in similar dryland canola systems may consider spot spray technology as an effective and agronomically sound option for pre-seed weed control, especially where economic analysis supports herbicide savings sufficient to offset capital costs.
Grower Benefits
The See & Spray system generated measurable economic benefits compared to a traditional blanket herbicide application in the 2025 trial. By targeting only areas with weed presence, herbicide was applied to just 39% of the field, leaving 61% unsprayed. This reduced overall product use and resulted in a total savings of 282 gallons compared to a blanket approach. On the 28.3 acres where See & Spray was active, savings averaged $10.50 per acre, equating to approximately $297 in direct herbicide cost reduction. The majority of these savings were driven by avoiding full-rate Certitude applications on areas without weed pressure, significantly lowering input costs while maintaining effective control where needed. Overall, the targeted application approach improved input efficiency and demonstrated strong potential for economic advantage, particularly in fields with variable or patchy weed populations.
