One Pass, Better Results: how Dysart Farming eliminated double-knock spraying with MagrowTec
When second-generation farmer Andrew Powell decided to invest in spray technology for Dysart Farming’s extensive operation, he wanted a solution that would deliver tangible results without adding complexity to an already demanding workload. The Central Queensland producer found his answer in MagrowTec’s magnetic assist spray technology.
Operating approximately 18,000 hectares in total, with 2,500 hectares dedicated to cropping, Dysart Farming is a substantial cattle and grain enterprise that has been in the Powell family since 1954. The operation manages a thriving herd of 3,000 Hereford, Brahman and Droughtmaster cattle, while also farming diverse crops including winter wheat and chickpeas, and summer sorghum.
After boarding school, Andrew moved into contracting roles, including a valuable stint at Wagyu giant Hughes Pastoral’s Tierawoomba, near Nebo. He returned to the family operation in 2019, and has worked his way up the business in various roles on property, now Farm Manager.
The challenges of managing such a large-scale operation are compounded by the region’s variable conditions and persistent weed pressure.
“We generally get some good storms and some gusty winds from the east,” Andrew explains. “Then we’ve got the weeds, which are Feathertop Rhodes, and they’re hard to knock. The Sweet Summer Grass is becoming a real pest as well. We’ve noticed it’s becoming resistant to glyphosate.”
These mounting challenges, combined with time pressures from managing both cattle and cropping enterprises, led Andrew to explore more efficient spraying solutions.
Discovery and installation
Andrew first encountered MagrowTec during the pre-delivery of the operation’s new spray rig. Intrigued by the concept, he attended a field day in Capella to see the system in action.
“They used a UV dye and a black light at nighttime and we noticed the difference between just your conventional spray and your MagrowTec, and there was a massive difference with all the product hitting the target,” Andrew recalls.
The installation process proved remarkably straightforward, taking approximately half a day to complete.
“The best thing about it is there’s no electronics. It’s just all magnets,” Andrew notes. “Just up in the manifold behind the tank, all they did was mount four brackets and then just feed the magnets up through the boom and that was it.”
Importantly, the system integrated seamlessly with existing equipment, with testing confirming no interference with spray pressure or nozzle performance.
Real-world results
After 12 months of operation, the benefits have been clear and measurable for Dysart Farming.
“We have noticed that a lot of drift has been reduced, and we’re seeing a lot more coverage,” Andrew reports. “We are still using the same rate, but we’re getting a lot better coverage because the droplet size is more uniform and more product is hitting the target.”
For an operation where Andrew spent much of the previous wet year “living in that spray rig”, the efficiency gains have been particularly valuable. The improved coverage means hitting the target once without needing to return for double applications, saving considerable time and resources.
“Hopefully we’ll see at least 25 to 30% reduction in chemical and water use in the future and hopefully less time in the sprayer,” Andrew projects. “Just hitting the target once and not having to go back for a double knock.”
Time efficiency for diversified operations
For producers running combined cattle and cropping enterprises like Dysart Farming, time efficiency is paramount. The operation also maintains earthmoving equipment for ongoing land development, scrub pulling, and pasture improvement, adding another layer to an already complex business.
“We try to minimise the labour and spend more time in the cattle, less time in the cropping for just spraying,” Andrew explains.
The MagrowTec system’s ability to deliver effective weed control in a single pass has helped achieve this goal, allowing Andrew to focus resources where they’re needed most across the diverse enterprise.
As Dysart Farming celebrates 72 years of family ownership and Andrew works to build on that legacy, the adoption of efficient, reliable technology like MagrowTec represents a commitment to sustainable intensification: doing more with less while maintaining the productive capacity that has sustained the operation for generations.
