Switching from paper records to an online spray diary increases accuracy, reduces double-handling, and allows you to meet compliance requirements with ease.

But a digital spray diary need not be limited to electronic record-keeping; specialised software can offer a comprehensive agrichemical system, says ABC Software’s founder Sharon Chapman. “And with the challenges growers are facing, any opportunity for automation and efficiency should be explored.”

ABCspray, keeps track of spray applications, dry applications and fertigation. 

Ms Chapman said ABC Software’s digital agrichemical diary, ABCspray, supports spray applications, dry applications and fertigation.

“It allows you to plan your applications in advance and prepare instruction sheets for your operators, with all the calculations taken care of. User-friendly and available on any device with an internet connection, operators can fill in the actuals on the spot.

“With user-specific permissions, you can approve and authorise instructions, with an audit trail always available. ABCspray offers reporting tools so you’re not only compliance-ready at all times, but you can easily see what you’ve done in any given block, or where you have sprayed in any given application.

“Accurate and timely record-keeping and reproducibility is underpinned by secure data storage. Your information is stored securely in the Cloud so there is no need to worry about backups or lost records. Having records available at the click of a button means no more searching for paper records,” Ms Chapman said.

“ABC include a consumables management module with ABCspray at no extra cost. Chemical usage is recorded automatically. You can track your chemicals and other stock items by location and do stocktakes online. ABCspray supports you to meet your requirements while remaining flexible. We provide you the tools, you choose what information to record, according to your business requirements.”

ABCspray sits within ABC’s labour management software ABCgrower. Either package can be used standalone or integrated for further benefits, such as block cost reporting inclusive of agrichemical costs.

Koala Cherries which has orchards in Victoria, use ABC’s product suite; ABCgrower, ABCspray and ABCpacker. Chief operations officer Chris Nealon said, “To have accurate data flow crossing through all our platforms is critical; as is speed.

“Time is very critical in a cherry harvest. With the ABC integration we have data at our fingertips. Our marketing team, our production team, in fact everyone can all see the information they need quickly and easily. It’s made us hugely more efficient.”

Ms Chapman said while paper might seem cheap of the face of it, with the ease of use, time saving and record-keeping efficiency that software affords, in the long run, you will save time and money with a specialised digital spray diary.