Category: News

Specialist manufacturer of precision spraying equipment, Micron Group is set to exhibit its innovative range at Sival in conjunction with its recently appointed French distributor Roussel Agri 62. Focusing on efficient plant production, the exhibition takes place in Anger, France on 13-15th January 2015 where the new Anglo-French partnership will showcase a range of Micron’s advanced weed control machinery including Varidome band sprayer and Weedswiper weed wiping device.

The Varidome range of a band sprayers can help growers improve weed control by offering a highly targeted and accurate spraying solution. The sprayers incorporate a fully shielded design which delivers proven 95 percent drift reduction enabling users to safely spray weeds growing in between rows of crops and in wheelings. As product is only applied where it is needed, Varidome can cut chemical usage by as much as fifty percent resulting in significant cost savings.

Each machine is tailor-made to growers’ particular application and its modular construction makes it suitable for a large number of weed control situations including sugar beet, vegetables, oil seed rape and ornamental crops. Customers can choose from a range of toolbars (from 3 to 12 metres), different shield shapes and sizes and lightweight or heavy duty carriages with parallelogram linkage to best suit the terrain and the crop. The manufacturer also offers optional features such a quick release mechanism for easy repositioning of carriages and a dual spray system for applying a second product directly over the rows.

As well as the Varidome range of sprayers, visitors to the stand will be able to find out about Micron’s non-drip weed wiper. Ideal for eradicating volunteer beet in the crop, Weedswiper offers a safe and efficient method of herbicide application. Utilising the height differential between the crop and the weeds, Weedswiper transfers the herbicide onto the target through direct contact with its moistened pads. WeedSwiper’s Hydrostat regulates the supply of herbicide solution into the pads by switching the pump on and off in response to changes in liquid amount in the material, ensuring  it is continually replenished but not over-saturated to cause dripping. Available in 2, 3 and 6 metre working widths, the units can be folded and operated at narrower widths than their maximum working width.

Speaking of its plans for the French market, Group Sales Director at Micron said: “We look forward to exhibiting our innovative, cost-saving sprayers in France and are pleased that our brand will be represented by Roussel Agri 62. Backed by their in-depth industry knowledge and close understanding of customer needs, we are confident that the Weedswiper and Varidome will become established brands in France, synonymous with added value and improved application practice.”

Micron Group would like to celebrate 40 years of service by Louise Green who joined the company in October 1974.

Louise is a key member of the Micron Production department responsible for the assembly of the company’s innovative hand-held spraying equipment, including world-leading brands such as Ulva+ and Herbi range of sprayers, many of which are exported to Africa and Asia. The company also manufactures an ever expanding range of tractor-mounted equipment which can used locally for weed control in strawberry and cider apple production. 

Louise is currently the longest serving employee at Micron and her input over the years has contributed greatly to the success of the business. Louise is an extremely popular member of the team and celebrations to mark this anniversary will be held at the end of October. The Directors of Micron Group would like to thank Louise for her dedication and hard work and look forward to working with her for many years to come.

IMAGE: Photograph taken during celebrations with the company founder Edward Bals and colleagues following The Queens Award for Industry in 1975

(Louise Green pictured centre)

Manufacturer of precision sprayers and applicators, Micron Group, will present its tractor-mounted Varidome band sprayer and a range of portable equipment for tree nurseries and ornamental crops at this year’s Four Oaks event which takes place on 2nd – 3rd September in Macclesfield, Cheshire.

Visitors to Micron’s stand OP32 will be able to see the Varidome S1 mounted on Micron’s 100 litre Tank System. The sprayer uses shielded technology which allows users to safely and accurately target weeds growing between the rows of plants. Varidome’s shields are proven to reduce drift by over 95% which means non-selective herbicides can be put through the sprayer thus significantly reducing chemical cost. The sprayer also offers environmental benefits as the spray is only applied where it is needed. Each Varidome’s shield is mounted on a ground following wheel to further reduce drift and provide better product placement.

The Varidome S1 on display will be fitted with a number of different of shield sizes to demonstrate the sprayer’s versatility for a wide range of applications. New to the show, Micron will reveal the Varidome 100 HiFlo shield for narrowly planted crops such as flowers, seed production and tree nurseries. Fitted with a hydraulic pressure nozzle, the shield is capable of treating inter-rows between 10 to 45 centimetres and can be supplied on a lightweight or heavy duty carriage to suit the terrain.

Micron will also showcase the Herbi range of hand-held sprayers for weed control, the AU8000 atomiser for outdoor insecticide and fungicide treatments and the highly popular Electrafan for pest control in enclosed environments.

Micron Group, precision spraying specialists, have announced their plans for this year’s Fruit Focus event. For the first time at the show, the manufacturer will use its stand 340 to showcase its Enviro range of ground following sprayers for weed control in fruit and vines. Visitors to the stand will also be able to see the Turbofan and AU8000 sprayers for foliar treatments, as well as the Micron Tank System 100L.

The Enviro range of shielded sprayers on display will be mounted on ground following carriages. This new feature enables the shield to follow the contours of the ground subsequently minimising spray drift on uneven terrain and ensuring a better distribution of spray liquid. Now available in a choice of HiFlo (hydraulic pressure nozzle) or CDA (Controlled Droplet Application) spray systems, Enviro sprayers feature a freely rotating shield and a breakaway arm which gently deflects and rolls the shield around the base of the trees or vines, thus reducing the risk of mechanical damage and ensuring excellent spray results right up to the plant.

As well as the Enviro range for herbicide applications, the company will be showcasing its sprayers for foliar treatments. Visitors looking for a vehicle-mounted solution will be able to find out more about the Turbofan – an air-assisted CDA spray head for fungicide and insecticide applications. Highly suitable for use in soft and top fruit where good crop penetration is desired, Turbofan features a hydraulically-driven rotary atomiser and a built-in axial fan which produces a powerful yet directed air stream to convey spray to the target.
In addition, Micron Group will be exhibiting the Micron AU8000 mistblower for spraying crops in orchards, polytunnels and glasshouses. Its rotary atomiser technology delivers excellent coverage at Low Volume and Ultra Low Volume application rates. The AU8000 offers adjustable droplet size and good penetration of plant canopy for optimum results.

IMAGE: Micron’s 100 litre tank system with available Enviro shield options on ground following carriages.

Micron Group, manufacturers of low volume precision sprayers, are proud to be a partner in Arysta LifeScience’s “Applique Bien” programme in West Africa. The programme has been set up to promote best practice in pesticide application in order to improve application techniques and increase operator safety.

First of its kind, this innovative programme aims to provide small scale farmers in Africa with free training and advice on protective equipment, sprayer use, product labels and safety. Having been successfully launched in Brazil, the project is being rolled out in West Africa; initially in Burkina Faso and Ivory Coast in cotton and cocoa. The project officers are hoping to extend the programme to neighbouring countries and other crops including vegetables, rice and maize in order to train a larger number of producers who work with pesticides.

To deliver the project, Arysta LifeScience employ a purpose-built mobile training unit which travels to African villages to educate local farmers on pesticide application and operator protection through practical and interactive training sessions. So far Micron Group have supported the programme with a number of country visits where staff delivered a presentation on the correct calibration, use and maintenance of Micron’s low volume sprayers Handy and Ulva+, followed by practical demonstrations of the equipment.

Micron’s CDA (Controlled Droplet Application) range offer users many advantages over knapsack sprayers. Unlike conventional pressure nozzle sprayers, Handy and Ulva+ produce only the optimum size of spray droplets for the particular application. This is achieved by specifically designed rotary atomisers which break up the spray liquid evenly. As a result, considerably less water is required which means less time and effort is spent fetching water and spraying a given area. The control over droplet size ensures efficient use of chemical and provides improved operator safety due to the sprayers’ targeted application. Both Handy and Ulva+ offer a high work rate and are able to treat the same area 4 to 5 times faster than a knapsack sprayer. Their battery powered design eliminates pumping, subsequently reducing operator fatigue.

So far the program has received excellent feedback from farmers many of whom said they had never received such training on pesticide application before. It is hoped that not only the Applique Bien programme will instil better practice in pesticide use but it will also contribute towards improved productivity and help secure farmers’ income in Africa. The objectives of this first agricultural campaign are to undertake 100 days of training in each country and to train around 2000 producers in total. 

At the recent Cereals event, Micron Group – manufacturer of specialist spraying equipment – presented its latest Varidome model which has been specifically designed for treating weeds in vegetables and other narrowly planted crops.

The Varidome S3 band sprayer on display was fitted with the new narrow design Varidome 100 HiFlo shields which are capable of spraying inter-rows from 100mm to 450mm wide. The sprayer was also equipped with a second spray line for applying a different product directly over the row. Varidome has a modular design which means the sprayer can be specifically tailored to users’ needs and crop. The carriage spacing and spray width can be easily adjusted on each individual spray head. Furthermore, Varidome machines aimed at vegetables can be fitted with the narrow Varidome 100 HiFlo shields for spraying between the rows of crop and the wider reach Varidome 170 HiFlo shields positioned in between the beds. Circular shields with breakaway arms are also available for mounting onto the Varidome toolbar for situations where a slight sideways movement of the shield is required – for example, herbicide application in between raised beds or within tall crops like in-fern asparagus. 

IMAGE: Micron Varidome for Vegetables.jpg

Micron Group, experts in precision spraying equipment, have recently had three new employees join the team.

Gillian Wall commenced her employment with the company in March 2014 in a new role of the Group Finance Controller. A Chartered Accountant for over 20 years, Gillian brings extensive knowledge of finance, contract negotiation, human resource management and strategic business development. Gillian will be overseeing management reporting and budgeting for the Group, helping to drive company growth and profitability. As well as heading the Group Accounts Department, Gillian will assume responsibility for the HR and IT functions at Micron’s HQ in Bromyard, Herefordshire.

Based in Berri at Micron’s Australian subsidiary company Enviromist Industries Pty, Jaspreet Kaur also joined the Group in March 2014 as the Accounts & Admin Manager. With a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Accounting and Marketing from the University of Adelaide, Jaspreet has strong all-round understanding of accountancy and the latest marketing techniques. As well as her academic achievements, she brings a wide range of practical experience of management accounting, customer service, data analysis, marketing research and project management.

Micron would also like to welcome Simon Rehill who has been recently employed as the European Sales Manager for the Micron Sprayers division. With over 20 years of industry experience in his previous sales, service and engineering roles in the agricultural field both in the UK and abroad, Simon is well placed to develop sales in Europe to a new level. In addition to his in-depth industry knowledge and extensive sales experience, the company is set to benefit from his additional skillset including all aspects of engineering, electronics and hydraulics.

Photos (left to right): Gillian Wall, Jaspreet Kaur, Simon Rehill. 

Micron Group, precision spraying specialists, are set to unveil a whole host of product innovations at this year’s Cereals event. Specifically, visitors to Micron’s stand B-226-2 will be able to see the latest Varidome development for treating narrow bands, shielded Enviro sprayers with ground following and a range of new generation Micron Tank Systems.

The Varidome S3 band sprayer on display will be fitted with a dual spray system and introduce a number of unseen features including heavy duty stainless steel carriages with larger wheels for undulating terrain and a new controller with greater functionality including intuitive touch screen user interface. The manufacturer will also present the Varidome 100 HiFlo spray shield with new innovative shield design. Specifically created for operation in closely planted crops, the latest addition to the Varidome shield range comes fitted with a hydraulic pressure nozzle and is capable of spraying inter-rows from 100mm to 450mm wide. 

Micron will also be showcasing its highly popular shielded Undavina and Spraydome sprayers which are now available with a ground following wheel option. This new feature ensures that the shield stays in close contact with the ground, thus fully minimising spray drift on uneven terrain. Both Spraydome and Undavina carriages can also be mounted on a Varidome toolbar for band spraying situations where a sideways shield movement is required.

Finally, to complement its precision sprayer range, the company will be presenting its latest tanking solutions. The newly updated Tank System 100L enjoys a stronger and more durable construction. The 100 litre spraying tank capacity awards users sufficient time in the field without resulting in soil compaction associated with larger units. The system has separate 15 litre hand wash and flushing tanks and incorporates an electric high capacity diaphragm pump with filter and agitation.

For larger spraying operations, Micron Group will be introducing its 1200 litre tank. Micron Tank System 1200L comes with an induction hopper, hand wash and rinse tanks and a hydraulic pump. It is also equipped with easy-access controls, road lights and a watertight locker.

The largest in the fleet, Micron’s Dual Tank System 1800L incorporates 1050 and 750 litre liquid reservoirs with independent spray systems, hydraulic centrifugal self-priming pumps and induction hoppers with agitation and rinse facilities. The company will be demonstrating the Generation II model which enjoys new safety features such as road lighting and protective bars, as well as an improved layout for better stability and ease of operation.

Micron Group, a leading manufacturer of no-drift sprayers and applicators, has recently added the InjectorDos Pro Service Kit to its product portfolio. The Service Kit contains all the springs, valves and seal rings used inside of the Micron InjectorDos Pro applicator and allows users to replace the worn parts without the requirement to purchase a new unit.

Specifically designed for the amenity professional, Micron InjectorDos Pro is an injection applicator for eradicating hollow-stem weeds such as Japanese Knotweed and Giant Hogweed. Featuring a “dial-in” facility which enables the operator to dispense a repeatable 0.1-2ml dose per shot via a robust needle, the InjectorDos Pro provides a safe and effective way to inject invasive weeds in situations where spray applicators are not suitable, for example, sensitive areas near watercourses and working environments where adjacent foliage needs to be preserved.

InjectorDos Pro body is made from stainless steel and is ergonomically shaped to reduce fatigue. The seals supplied within the unit and the Service Kit are resistant to agro-chemicals to ensure applicator durability. The injector is supplied with a one litre backpack and two needles – a regular needle for initial treatments and a finer one for treating re-growth.

A host of specialist, non-drift spraying equipment will be taking centre stage on Micron’s stand 113 (Hall 1) at Lamma. Proven to reduce drift by 95%*, it includes Micron’s flagship Varidome S5 band sprayer and the latest Undavina, Spraydome and Spraymiser models from the Enviro HiFlo range. The company will also be exhibiting its non-drip Weedswiper, single and dual Tank Systems and a range of hand-held spraying devices.

Varidome S5 – Micron’s latest band sprayer fitted with a Dual Spray Tank system – can treat widths of up to 9 metres and is ideal for broad acre crops such as sugar beet, oil seed rape and maize. A non-selective product is applied to the inter-row through fully shielded pressure nozzles with the option of simultaneously applying a second product such as a selective herbicide or fungicide directly over the crop. Shield spacing on the boom and treated band widths can easily be adjusted to suit different crops.

New to Lamma, Micron will also be presenting its latest models from the Enviro HiFlo series. Now available in a pressure nozzle option, the Micron Enviro range comprises the fully shielded Undavina, Spraydome and Spraymiser models in a range of sizes to cater for every spraying task. Enviro equipment can also be fitted with a CDA spray system for situations where low volume application is preferred. All Enviro sprayers feature a modular design and are fully compatible with other products within the range. Coupled with a Micron Tank System, they can be integrated into a fully self-contained spray assembly for a range of weed control applications including fence lines, footpaths, field margins, amenity and general weed control.

ENDS

*compared to conventional boom sprayers