Two UK manufacturers, Garford Farm Machinery and RootWave, have announced an agreement to co-develop new weeding technology and products that integrate electrical weeding into precision guided toolbar systems. These are designed to work in high-value and intensive crops, as well as broadacre arable applications.
The RootWave system uses electricity to boil weeds and their roots, which uses patented high-frequency alternating-current, which it says is significantly safer than direct-current, typically used in electrical weed control. This makes electrical weeding highly effective, and because it is non-chemical and does not disturb the soil, it is compatible with both organic and regenerative farming systems.
Proven guidance system
Garford’s contribution is its Robocrop Guidance System that provides accurate and efficient hoeing for both in-row and inter-row weed management and prevention control. The system uses video cameras and image analysis computers to locate crop position and then guides the hoes quickly and accurately.
Garford has calculated that using the eWeeding technology can help cut costs between £55 to £120/ha – considerably lower than chemical herbicide costs.
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