NGN Northern Region Optical Spot Sprayer Optimisation

Growers who attended the 2025 NGN Forums in Somerton and Walgett prioritised the need for improved knowledge, skill development and confidence in the use of optical spot sprayers (OSS). This issue has been raised in many other NGN forums across New South Wales (NSW) and Queensland (QLD). Growers identified that they need resources and support to build knowledge and skills to help with setup, operation efficiency, drift management and herbicide compliance, calibration requirements, correct nozzle selection and testing and interpreting label instructions for use in precision systems.

Description

OSS are increasingly being used by growers. Industry sources estimate that around 70 per cent of grain production businesses in QLD and Northern NSW either own or use a contractor with an optical spot sprayer.

Benefits of OSS include less chemical use, improved hard-to-kill weed control, more chemical rotation options, reduced water use, time savings and reduced weed seed-set. Advances in OSS technology and other weed control methods are allowing some paddocks to be brought back into successful cropping, while helping to maintain zero or no-till practices.

Issues with optical sprayers in the Northern regions include technical limitations like slow speeds and sensitivity to small or thin weeds, the lack of compatible chemical registrations, challenges with complex technology and lack of local repair capacity, and operational issues such as slower travel speeds, shading from forward-angled cameras, and the need to manually manage headlands on some systems. Environmental factors unique to the Northern region can also be a concern, including increased risk of spray drift and the potential for herbicides to wash away due to high rainfall events.

The industry also relies on a small number of experts to educate and guide grain growers in best practise herbicide use and this limits accessibility of knowledge.

This investment will improve the knowledge and capacity of growers, staff, advisors, contractors and OSS sales representatives in the set up and use of OSS, through the delivery of training days and extension materials.

Outcome

By May 2028, 200 operators of OSS in the Northern region have improved knowledge and access to information pertaining to the safe, effective and regulatory approved use of their equipment for the purpose of protecting crop production and grain quality. Enduring communication artefacts will provide information for all Northern region growers.

Offer period

Offers will remain open for acceptance by the GRDC for a period of 6 months after the Closing Time.

Document contact and enquiries

Attention: Lyndal Gordon

Grains Research and Development Corporation

Email: Lyndal.Gordon@grdc.com.au

Make all requests for further information or clarification in relation to this procurement in writing (email) prior to 9 March 2026.

GRDC will publish all requests and responses to requests on the GRDC website under Questions and Answers at the bottom of this webpage.

Consortia response

GRDC will not accept Tenders from Consortia.

Lodgement of tender

Submit your tender response electronically through the Grains Investment Portal.