Rocky View County is preparing to rent its popular pasture sprayer this spring.
The equipment has been provided to producers for over 15 years, with annual maintenance to ensure the sprayer is working.
According to the county, the pasture sprayer tackles weeds as soon as the snow melts.
"Weed outbreaks can significantly impact a producer's yield, leading to substantial losses as weeds compete for moisture, nutrients, and sunlight, the essential resources crops need to grow," said Delaney McNaughton, agricultural services officer with the county.
Due to the size of the sprayer, it's recommended that producers use a 75-horsepower tractor, especially on bumpy pastures.
"The pasture sprayer has two boomless nozzles that spray 25 feet each for a total width of 50 feet," added McNaughton. "At the recommended rates and speeds, the full tank will spray 12 acres."
Although rentals do not open until spring, McNaughton claims that the pasture sprayer can often fill up, with many producers booking into the next year.