When Todd Daniels and his family began looking for a new spraying solution for their mixed farming operation near Emerald, Queensland, they wanted a machine that could handle their unique farming conditions while providing reliable support when they needed it.

After putting their Croplands WEED-IT trailed sprayer to work across their operation, Todd said both the machine and the people behind it have delivered.

Located at Gindie, near Emerald, Plainfield Farms is a family-owned operation run by Todd, alongside his parents Richard and Robyn, and brother Jack.

As with many growers in Central Queensland, effective weed control plays a critical role in maintaining productivity and managing costs throughout the year.

When it came time to invest in a sprayer, Todd and his family undertook extensive research before making a decision.

“There were already a few Croplands units operating in the area,” Todd said.

“Speaking to neighbouring farmers through word of mouth, most people seemed really happy with their experience.”

However, local recommendations were only part of the equation.

“We did our own research and found Croplands was most suited to our country. Our cultivation is contoured and we found the trailing boom follows the ground better than other options and maintains boom height and nozzle height really well.”

For Todd, maintaining accurate boom height across varying terrain was a key consideration when comparing available options.

Choosing WEED-IT Technology

Plainfield Farms ultimately purchased a 36-metre ground-following WEED-IT trailed sprayer featuring a 6,000-litre main tank.

The combination of targeted spraying technology and Croplands’ ground-following boom design offered the performance the Daniels family was looking for.

But product capability wasn’t the only factor that influenced the final decision.

“There seemed to be more second-hand units around,” Todd said.

“And once we started speaking to [Queensland Territory Manager and WEED-IT Product Lead] Lachie Coom, there was really professional service from the outset and we felt it was the best option for us.”

Delivering Results in the Paddock

Since taking delivery of the machine, Todd says the sprayer has performed exactly as hoped.

“We’ve been really happy with it.”

The farm uses the machine extensively through summer fallow operations to target some of the region’s most problematic grass weeds.

“It’s doing a really good job at controlling our grasses, particularly feathertop, star grass and summer grass, which are the three most prominent for us.”

The ability to maintain consistent boom and nozzle height across contoured paddocks has helped ensure effective application and maximise the benefits of the WEED-IT system.

Support That Doesn’t Stop After Delivery

For Todd, the ownership experience has been strengthened by the support provided after the sale.

“Lachie and [Queensland Service Technician] Doyle Krueger came and helped with the delivery, setup and calibration, and we’ve mainly been communicating through Lachie since,” he said.

According to Todd, having access to knowledgeable support made a significant difference.

“Lachie knows the product inside out and if there’s ever a problem, he’ll go out of his way to keep the machine up and running and get parts organised.”

Whether it’s technical advice, sourcing parts or helping with on-farm adjustments, Todd says the support has always been readily available.

“He’s good to talk to and always willing to help.”

Looking back on the purchase, Todd’s assessment is straightforward.

“Overall, we’re happy with the job it’s doing and we’re happy with the service.”

Croplands Equipment has recently been appointed as the exclusive Australia and New Zealand distributor for Nelson Hardie orchard sprayers, strengthening access to premium American-built horticultural equipment for local growers and complementing Croplands’ existing portfolio.

The appointment follows the recent sale of the Nelson Hardie business to Jas Thiara of MIS, marking a new chapter for the globally recognised sprayer brand.

Croplands now supports the full Nelson Hardie range, including Power Take Off (PTO)-driven and engine-driven models, all designed to deliver high-volume air blast spraying. This range is perfectly suited to the rapidly growing tall tree crop market, where most locally manufactured sprayers cannot deliver adequate coverage to the top of many crops, including in almonds and macadamias.

Croplands Commercial Manager, Sean Mulvaney, said this strengthened partnership was a significant step forward for both Croplands and Nelson Hardie customers.

“We have committed to strong local inventory and are actively assessing regional parts locations to ensure immediate delivery, improve service support and minimise downtime for growers during critical spray windows,” he said.

Croplands and Nelson Hardie are also undertaking extensive customer engagement across Australia and New Zealand, aimed at identifying targeted product enhancements to improve safety, spray performance and long-term reliability.

“We’re working closely with growers and the Nelson Hardie team to refine these machines for local conditions, while also partnering with industry specialists to optimise spray coverage and efficiency outcomes in orchard environments,” Mulvaney said.

“This is what Croplands is all about; we are confident the results will deliver benefits through enhanced performance and reduced maintenance to owners and operators.”

Manufactured in California since the 1980s, Nelson Hardie sprayers have built an excellent reputation for durability and performance in orchard and tall tree applications, with a long-standing footprint in Australia’s tall tree crop market.

Built with heavy-duty chassis construction and stainless steel tanks, the Nelson Hardie range is designed for longevity in demanding horticultural conditions. Options include high-capacity PTO models up to 5000L, as well as engine-driven units powered by John Deere diesel engines.

Croplands has various models available ahead of critical upcoming spring spraying periods. Attractive and flexible equipment finance options with DLL finance are available.

The Nelson Hardie range will be showcased to industry at key upcoming events, including:

• Riverland Field Days, South Australia (18–19 September)
• Australian Almond Conference, South Australia (21–22 October), where growers can meet new Nelson Hardie owner Jas Thiara

Croplands will also host dedicated demonstration opportunities for growers looking to experience the equipment firsthand.

For more information or to arrange a demo, contact info@offerrocket.net.au.

CROPLANDS AND YAMAHA AGRICULTURE SHOWCASE NEXT STEP IN AUTONOMOUS WEED CONTROL WITH PROSPR HERBICIDE ATTACHMENT

Croplands Equipment, in partnership with Yamaha Agriculture, has released a new herbicide spray attachment designed for seamless integration with Prospr, Yamaha Agriculture’s autonomous vehicle platform marking the next phase of automation in horticultural weed control.

The herbicide attachment builds on the established Prospr autonomous vehicle platform, enabling growers to further enhance automation across weed control applications, improve operational efficiency and reduce manual inputs.

Following the establishment of Yamaha Agriculture, Yamaha’s capabilities and partnership-driven approach are delivering operational, financial and social value across the industry. For local growers, the Croplands–Yamaha Agriculture partnership continues to strengthen, with Croplands manufacturing the Q-Series fungicide sprayer attachment for global markets and holding exclusive distribution of Prospr and related attachments throughout Australia and New Zealand.

Croplands General Manager Brendan Deck said the herbicide attachment reflects growing demand from horticulture growers for practical, scalable automation solutions that deliver measurable benefits on farm.

“Prospr has already proven itself as a reliable autonomous platform in vineyards and orchards, and this upcoming herbicide attachment is a natural next step,” Mr Deck said.

“Growers are telling us they want automation that fits seamlessly into existing programs, particularly around weed control where labour and timing are critical. This attachment has been developed to do exactly that – extend the capability of Prospr while keeping operation straightforward and efficient.”

Mr Deck said the continued partnership with Yamaha Agriculture provided confidence for growers investing in autonomous technology.

“Yamaha Agriculture brings global engineering capability and autonomous solutions, while Croplands boasts over 50 years as sprayer specialists backed by service and support on the ground,” he said.

“That combination hasn’t changed, and it’s a big part of why Prospr is gaining momentum across Australia and New Zealand.”

Yamaha Agriculture President and CEO, Nolan Paul said the herbicide attachment demonstrates Yamaha Agriculture’s ongoing focus on developing flexible automation solutions for speciality crops.

Releasing the herbicide attachment is the next step in developing a suite of products growers can rely on for various tasks in their orchards and vineyards, Mr Paul says.

“Yamaha Agriculture works to help specialty crop growers be more sustainable, profitable and resilient. We build precision ag automation and intelligent systems that help growers plan, act and adapt with confidence – having multiple attachments, delivered via expert partners is a key pillar of our strategy to deliver automation globally, at scale.”

Growers will have the opportunity to see Prospr and speak directly with Croplands and Yamaha Agriculture representatives at several upcoming industry events in Australia:

• Hort Connections, Adelaide Convention Centre – 4–6 June

Kilter Evolves with Six-Camera Precision Upgrade

Croplands has announced a significant enhancement to the Kilter AX-1 autonomous weed detection solution for vegetable crops in Australia and New Zealand, with the latest model now configured with six cameras and nozzle modules, a step forward in aligning the technology with the specific needs and conditions of local growers.

The additional camera module delivers market-leading AI-driven green on green detection, enabling more accurate identification and targeting of weeds within complex crop environments. Combined with Kilter’s patented Single Drop Technology (SDT) – which delivers a precisely placed droplet every 6mm – the system continues to support earlier weed intervention, reduced chemical use and improved crop outcomes.

As a lightweight, autonomous platform, the AX-1 allows growers to enter paddocks earlier, including on softer soils to control emerging weeds at the outset, shortening growing cycles and increasing yields, delivering substantial productivity. The AX-1’s benefits multiply quickly when deployed in fleets across an operation. Valuable labour can be redeployed to focus on higher value tasks.

Croplands Portfolio Manager Steve Norton said the six‑camera configuration reflected direct feedback from local trials and engagement with Australian growers.

“The move to six camera heads is about delivering the level of precision and consistency our growers expect in Australian conditions,” he said.

“We’re seeing strong demand for solutions that can accurately distinguish crops from weeds at early growth stages, particularly in high‑value vegetable production systems. Enhancements like this ensure the AX‑1 continues to perform where it matters: on farm.”

Norton added the AX‑1 played a key role within Croplands’ emerging autonomous solutions offering, supporting both conventional and organic farming systems, where its targeted application helped preserve soil moisture and nutrients while minimising inputs.

Kilter CEO Anders Brevik said the latest iteration of the AX-1 demonstrated the company’s continued partnership with Croplands and focus on regional adaptation and grower outcomes.

“From the beginning, Kilter has worked closely with growers to ensure our technology delivers real‑world value in the field,” Brevik said.

“The six‑camera configuration is an important evolution for markets like Australia and New Zealand, where crop diversity and growing conditions demand even greater precision. Combined with our AI vision and Single Drop Technology, the AX‑1 enables growers to target weeds earlier and more effectively, while supporting more sustainable production systems.”

Commercial readiness and expanded capability
The enhanced AX-1 platform builds on ongoing testing and evaluation across key Australian vegetable regions since the Croplands – Kilter partnership was first established. This optimisation and commercialisation has been supported through a contract with Hort Innovations Australia (HIA) running through until 2029, accelerating and optimising the technology to enable widespread adoption for Australian growers.

Today, the Kilter system can support 14 crop types, with additional crops under development as part of continued research efforts.

Field days and demonstrations
The Kilter AX-1 is set to be showcased promoted at Hort Connections (Adelaide) – 4–6 June, giving growers the opportunity to see the technology in action.

Further field days and demonstrations are planned throughout the year as the AX-1 becomes increasingly commercially available across Australia and New Zealand.

Growers interested in a live demonstration are welcome to contact Croplands Portfolio Manager Steve Norton on 0437 878 695.

Australia’s WEED-IT specialists, Croplands Equipment, is set to make a strong impact this field day season, showcasing new technology, expanded capability and continued innovation across its precision spraying range.

Leading the line-up is the Series 2 Robot Ready Pinto, a machine that brings together SwarmFarm Robotics´ autonomous SwarmBot, WEED-IT Optical Spot Spraying Technology and Croplands’ proven Pinto platform. The integration enables growers to automate spraying operations while maximising accuracy and efficiency, while also supporting significant chemical savings and greater flexibility in chemistry application – helping return one of the most valuable on-farm resources: time.

Enhancements across the Series 2 model include an upgraded tank design to improve centre of gravity, along with a range of refinements to further enhance performance in the paddock.

Croplands WEED-IT Product Lead Lachlan Coom said the evolution of the Pinto reflected growing demand for robot-ready machinery that did not compromise on durability or usability.

“The Series 2 Robot Ready Pinto builds on a platform that growers already trust with dedicated design enhancements perfectly adapted to autonomy that will really stand out in the field,” Coom said.

Croplands are releasing another sprayer platform with a new purpose-built WEED-IT ready 36-metre truss boom mounted to its renowned Pegasus 7000L sprayer, delivering a more compact, large scale broadacre sprayer with twin tank and twin spray line capabilities.

The combination provides farmers with a highly capable sprayer than can do spot spraying or blanket spraying or both at the same time and has been extensively field tested over the past two years.

“We are excited about the launch,” Coom said.

“It’s about delivering practical solutions that fit into real farming systems, while giving operators more flexibility in how and when they spray.”

Croplands is also seeing strong momentum in its WEED-IT Retrofit Kits, with its engineering and field service teams successfully installing optical spot spraying sensors across a wide range of sprayer brands.

Self-propelled, linkage and trailed units from brands including Case Patriot, John Deere, Goldacres, Fendt Rogator, Hayes and Hardi have all been retrofitted, reinforcing the adaptability of the WEED-IT system.

“We’ve worked on a broad mix of machines and so far, we haven’t come across a sprayer we couldn’t retrofit,” Coom said.

“That’s a big win for growers — they can upgrade existing equipment with WEED-IT technology and start seeing savings without needing to invest in a completely new unit.”

Those savings are driven by WEED-IT’s proven ability to significantly reduce chemical use, improve spraying efficiency and help combat herbicide resistance in hard-to-control weeds.

Over the past 15 years, Croplands has installed more than 25,000 WEED-IT sensors, primarily in broadacre applications, where the technology has redefined spraying practices and supported more sustainable farming outcomes.

Now, that same capability is expanding into horticulture with the introduction of the WEED-IT Orchard 4000, the company’s first full-row optical spot spraying solution specifically designed for orchard weed control.

The Croplands WEED-IT Orchard 4000 delivers targeted herbicide application across entire rows, bringing the benefits of precision spraying to the tree crop market.

Supporting adoption of the technology is the WEED-IT DASH 10” touchscreen, designed to give growers greater confidence and insight into their spraying performance and offering remote upgrades and support.

Croplands will have WEED-IT equipment and technology on display across several upcoming field days, including:

• FarmFest, Toowoomba, QLD — 3–5 June
• Ag-Grow, Emerald, QLD — 25–27 June
• Australian Cotton Conference, QLD — 4–6 August
• Eyre Peninsula Field Days, SA — 11–13 August
• AgQuip, Gunnedah, NSW — 18–20 August
• WeedSmart Week, Griffith, NSW — 18–20 August
• Dowerin Field Days, WA — 26–27 August
• Henty Field Days, Henty, NSW — 22–24 September

With a strong presence across the season, Croplands is focused on helping growers adopt practical, cost-effective technology that improves efficiency, sustainability and long-term farm performance through our WEED-IT offerings.

Based in Rolleston, Central Queensland, Sam Fairweather represents the third generation of his family to farm in the region. Managing a broadacre operation that’s around 2,000 hectares, Sam grows chickpeas, sorghum and wheat, with mungbeans rotated in when conditions are right.

After spending time away from the land working in mining, Sam returned home and has been managing the farm for the past year, continuing the operation his family has steadily built over generations.

“My grandpa drew a ballot to buy his first block,” Sam said. “Dad later bought the Crescent block, which hadn’t been cropped before, and that’s where he really started farming operations here.”

When weeds started getting away

Like many growers across Central Queensland, grass weeds became an increasing challenge. Blanket spraying was proving costly, and control wasn’t where it needed to be.

“The grass was getting away from us and we needed to get on top of it,” Sam said.

Sam had already seen WEED‑IT technology in action through people he trusted. A former employee owned a 30‑metre WEED‑IT tow‑behind unit, and local mates around Rolleston were running WEED‑IT systems fitted to John Deere machines.

“That gave me the confidence to look into it further,” he said.

Talking to Croplands

After an online enquiry, Sam was put in touch with Croplands’ Lachlan (Lachie), who guided him through the options and helped tailor a solution for the farm’s existing setup.

“Lachie was very helpful,” Sam said. “He answered all of my questions, and when a few things came up, he sorted them straight away.”

Sam ultimately invested in a WEED‑IT Retrofit Kit, fitted to a John Deere 4038.

Early gains where it counts

While it’s still early days to measure a full return on investment, the value is already clear.

“It’s a bit early to see the proper return,” Sam said.

“But we’re noticing the weeds are going and the chemical savings are there.”

By spraying only where weeds are detected, Sam has been able to cut chemical use while hitting harder‑to‑control weeds more effectively.

“We’re spending much less on chemical and putting more onto the weeds we couldn’t kill before.”

A solid investment backed by the right people

For Sam, the technology is only part of the equation, the support behind it matters just as much.

“The guys were great to deal with, and they still are,” he said.

With improved weed control, reduced chemical spend and reliable back‑up from the Croplands team, the WEED‑IT Retrofit Kit is shaping up to be a strong addition to the Fairweather operation as they continue farming into the next generation.

Location: Narembeen, WA
Enterprise: Mixed, moving towards 100 percent cropping
Crops: Wheat, barley, oats, lupins, canola
Farm size: 5,500 ha owned plus up to 7,000 ha leased
Generation: Fourth generation farmer

After more than a century on the same country, Michael Mortimore knows one thing. If you do not stay ahead of weeds, they will get ahead of you.

Farming in the Narembeen region of Western Australia, “Morty” runs a large mixed enterprise that is steadily shifting towards full cropping. With scale comes pressure, particularly when it comes to managing resistant ryegrass and maintaining yield without blowing out chemical costs.

That is where spot spraying and the right equipment have changed the game.

A trusted connection to Croplands

Morty’s introduction to Croplands came through a long‑standing personal connection. A mate from agricultural school, Scott Craig, was working in the industry when Sonic machines were operating locally before becoming part of Croplands.

A chance catch‑up at the pub led to a closer look at the machine sitting in Morty’s yard. After a few questions and a deeper dive into what it could do, the decision was made.

“That’s all she wrote,” Morty said.

The machine setup

Morty now runs a Sonic 7000 with a 36m WEED-IT boom, equipped with WEED‑IT sensors, twin tanks and twin pumps.

This setup allows him to switch between blanket spraying and spot spraying, or both in the same operation. For Morty, that flexibility is critical.

If you have got areas under 10 percent weed pressure, you can go nuts on what is actually there.

— Michael Mortimore, Owner/Operator

“When I had wheel speed sensor issues early on, that was around Christmas time. Not many people would show up then,” Morty said.

That reliability matters when timing is everything.

An investment in the future

Morty is upfront about the cost of technology like WEED‑IT and advanced spray systems. But he sees it as unavoidable.

“It is a capital investment, but if you do not pay for this technology now, you will pay for it at some stage,” he said.

By tackling weed issues early, Morty believes growers set themselves up not just for the current season, but for decades to come.

“Get on the front foot and use every tool in the box to help your operation.”

The first Patriot sprayer fitted with WEED-IT spot spraying technology in Australia marks a major milestone in precision spraying innovation.

The collaboration combines the engineering expertise of WEED-IT Australia and Croplands in retrofitting the second-hand 120-foot (36.5-metre) tri-fold boom.

WEED-IT General Manager Hamish McIntosh said the tri-fold boom design presented one of the most complex fit-outs carried out by the Croplands and WEED-IT teams.

“We specifically designed a new hydraulic folding mechanism that automatically stows the WEED-IT sensors as the boom folds,” Mr McIntosh said.

“It means the operator can fold and unfold the boom using the sprayer’s standard controls – no extra switches or steps required. It’s without doubt the most challenging design project we’ve tackled, but we’re absolutely stoked with the outcome. It’s one of the most rewarding fit-outs we’ve done.”

The result is a fully integrated, paddock-ready system that extends WEED-IT capability to one of Australia’s most popular self-propelled sprayers. The innovation opens the door for Australian Patriot owners to retrofit existing machines for WEED-IT precision spot spraying.

With secondhand SP sprayer values easing, many growers are choosing to dedicate older Patriots to spot spraying, and reduce input costs, while keeping newer machines focused on blanket applications.

With WEED-IT offering full PWM for spot and blanket spraying, the Patriot fitted can now be used for all spraying operations.

This is a win for growers who’ve invested in both Patriot & WEED-IT technology.

— Croplands Territory Manager, David Hamilton

“It’s about flexibility, efficiency, and giving farmers the option to get more out of the machinery they already know and trust.”

The retrofit kit is available through Croplands WEED-IT Dealers.

For Central Queensland farmer Jim Gifford, growth hasn’t just been about expanding acreage; it’s been about evolving how he farms. Based across Dysart and Capella, Jim runs a mixed operation that has shifted significantly over the past decade.

Originally focused almost entirely on cattle, Jim began incorporating grain in 2016 after purchasing farming country better suited to cropping.

Today, he crops around 1,500 hectares of grain annually, plus another 800 hectares dedicated to producing feed for his cattle. Across two blocks totalling more than 5,000 hectares (or 13,000 acres), Jim now grows mainly sorghum and chickpeas, phasing wheat and barley out of his rotation over the past three years.

But with expanded cropping came an unwelcome guest: weeds.

“With the move into farming came weed problems — and our research kept pointing to sensor sprayers as the solution,” he said.

Jim initially considered fitting sensors to his self‑propelled sprayer, but the need for consistent height control led him elsewhere.

Everywhere I looked, the cleanest farms were running Croplands.

— Jim Gifford

“Driving around the district, you could see who was on top of their weeds — and they all had the same machine,” he said.

In 2025, Jim purchased a WEED‑IT Quadro with a 7000L tank, 36.5m boom and dual‑line setup. The system has been in heavy use this summer, delivering immediate results.

“We’ve been out in the paddock several times and the chemical savings are substantial,” Jim said.

“I’m not using any more than I should be — and we’re getting the results.”

His sorghum crop this year was planted with zero weeds out of control, something he credits to the precision of the WEED‑IT system.

Support has been another highlight.

“[Queensland Territory Manager and WEED-IT Product Lead] Lachie Coom is fantastic — approachable, knowledgeable and always willing to help. Couldn’t be happier with the service.”

For Jim, the combination of reliability, chemical savings and strong backup makes the decision simple: he’s happy with the machine and happy with Croplands.

On Queensland’s Central Highlands near Emerald, Matt Lawrence is farming at serious scale, and like many growers in the region, efficiency and chemical savings are front of mind.

Running a mixed operation of sorghum, wheat and chickpeas alongside cattle at Lilyvale, Matt now farms around 10,000 acres, having expanded significantly in recent years. With that growth came the need for a smarter, more practical approach to weed control.

“We wanted something practical — the ability to tow it behind, run blanket or camera spraying, and even run both rigs at the same time.”

About 12 months ago, Matt added a WEED‑IT GroundGlider 7000 to his operation through Croplands, keen to trial camera‑based spraying alongside other units he uses for traditional blanket application. For Matt, the flexibility of the system stood out straight away.

“The option to run camera spraying or blanket spraying — or both — just made sense,” he said.

It gives us control depending on conditions and what we’re trying to achieve.

Ease of use was another key factor. From the cab, Matt says the system is intuitive and straightforward, making it easy to get up and running without unnecessary complexity.

“The machine itself is simple to use,” he explains. “Once you get into it, everything just makes sense.”

Matt Lawrence (red shirt) receiving his Croplands WEED-IT GroundGlider.

The GroundGlider’s tank capacity has also proven valuable as the business has expanded, allowing longer spraying runs and helping reduce overall chemical usage across the farm. Combined with stable booms designed to avoid ground strike, it’s been a reliable fit for their country.

Support has been just as important. Matt works closely with Croplands dealer Western Mechanical, praising the backup from the team.

“If you need anything, Western Mechanical are there for you — and if they can’t get a part straight away, you can always annoy Lachie.”

For Matt, the WEED‑IT GroundGlider has delivered what matters most: practical weed control, reliable performance, and confidence to manage a growing operation more efficiently.