Farmers use infrared to reduce chemicals

Whitman County farmers this summer can use a selective weed spraying unit, WEEDit, to more effectively spray for weeds and drastically reduce the cost of chemicals.

Brian Bell, Whitman conservation district manager, said WEEDit, a product which evolved from Netherlands-based research, uses infrared sensors and lasers to detect weeds in crop fields. The laser sensors detect chlorophyll found in plants, and direct nozzle sprays only at where plants are growing.

Bell noted the machine can be used in summer fallow fields where weeds emerge in the spring.

The machine's development originally began...