Introduction to Spray Applicators and Techniques

Interested in learning more about sprayers, spraying technology, and effective application techniques? If so, Olds College Industry Training and Continuing Education invites you to an engaging, full-day hands-on workshop with Tom Wolf from Sprayers 101.

This comprehensive session will deepen your understanding of sprayer components, nozzle functions, application formulas, key spraying variables, and the critical impact of weather conditions on your spraying decisions.

Date: October 24, 2025 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Cost: $499.95

Morning Session (9 a.m. – 12 p.m.)

Outcomes:

• Familiarity with major sprayer components and their role in the spraying operation
• Understanding of how the nozzle controls droplet size and how to identify the best nozzle for a specific spray job.
• Ability to calibrate a field sprayer.

Hands-On Learning will include:

• Conduct field sprayer walk-around, identifying each of the components and describing the installed type.
• Calibrate a field sprayer and select the right nozzle size to ensure application pressure and PWM duty cycle are correct.  
• Study droplet size and pattern characteristics of most important nozzle types

Afternoon Session (1 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.)

Outcomes:

• Ability to apply product in accordance with label instructions.
• Integrate information from product labels, pest and crop staging, and weather conditions to fine tune an application that maximizes its efficacy.
• Understand the relative importance of application variables such as water volume, droplet size, travel speed, and boom height on spray deposition and drift.
• Learn to make appropriate adjuvant selections to solve application problems.

Hands-On Learning will include:

• Visualize the spray deposit in various parts of a crop canopy using water sensitive paper.
• Observe sprays released from the field sprayer and explain their movement within and off the spray swath.
• Study the role of logistics on sprayer productivity.