Garford Farm Machinery will be displaying the latest in precision weed control technology at Lamma 2025.
On the stand will be its new advanced vision guidance system, electrical weeding technology and the new flexible hooded sprayer, all launched in 2024, for general release for the 2025 season.
Robocrop AI InRow has been developed to provide greater flexibility and higher resilience to light conditions and weed pressure.
Representing a leap in vision guidance capability with ‘green on green’ plant recognition, Robocrop AI uses artificial intelligence to combine colour, infrared and depth information to precisely identify crop plants and stem location.
A big step function benefit of Robocrop AI, differentiating it from other AI systems, is the multi-modal camera system. By using infrared cameras, as well as a colour camera, depth imaging, calculating vegetative index and then using data fusion techniques, the system accurately detects stem locations, even where multiple leaves overlap.
“In practice, this means we can hoe closer to the plant to achieve a higher weed control efficacy, ultimately bringing value to the user,” explains Garford Farm Machinery managing director Jonathan Henry.
The new vision guidance system also brings new levels of resilience to varying light conditions, as well as weed pressure in the field.
The first release Robocrop AI is available at launch for the 2025 Garford InRow electric rotor weeders for use in salad, brassica and sugar beet crops.
Electrical weeding technology
In June Garford reached an agreement with electrical weeding manufacturer RootWave.
The agreement will see the two manufacturers co-develop new weeding technology and products, integrating electrical weeding into precision guided toolbar systems, for high-value and high-intensive crops as well as broadacre arable applications.
The RootWave system uses electricity to boil weeds and their roots. 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.
“Combining our technologically advanced precision guided weed control solutions, with the benefits of RootWave’s high frequency alternating current electrical weeding technology, we can create commercially viable and effective solutions to growers, as a key part of a sustainable, integrated weed management system,” adds Mr Henry.
Flexible hooded sprayer
Garford will also be showcasing the new flexible hooded sprayer concept, Flexi Hood. Incorporating floating side shields, the innovative design allows for narrower passes with greater clearance between the hoods for the crop to go through.
“This makes it an attractive proposition for a number of crop applications, from saplings and root crops to fresh produce, salads and herbs and even bulbs,” explains Allan Knight, Garford Farm Machinery’s technical sales and marketing manager.
The side shields can float independently, working to the contours of the ground, and the fabric bellows can flex to that independent movement to ensure the best possible seal, while a spring wire skeleton supports the structure of the fabric cover and maintains the integrity of the hood.
“This has enabled us to reduce crop clearance by half, from 200mm to 100mm, and the Flexi Hood can also be used in raised bed or flat-bed situations,” explains Mr Knight.
