Why a Closed Transfer System is Essential for Crop Spraying?

Crop Spraying and the Role of Closed Transfer Systems 

Crop spraying is essential for protecting crops and increasing yields, but it can also contaminate water sources and pose safety risks for sprayers and operators. A Closed Transfer System (CTS), such as Tefen’s AccuRite, offers an environmentally safe and user-friendly way to transfer pesticide chemicals to sprayers with minimal contamination risk.

Recently, Tefen hosted a webinar featuring crop spraying experts to discuss the evolution and advantages of CTS couplers. The experts explored how these systems make crop spraying faster, more accurate, and safer. Read on to discover their insights.

How to Safely Transfer Pesticides to Sprayers 

The first step in crop spraying involves filling the sprayer with crop protection products, a process that requires precision, as mistakes can lead to serious contamination. A recent study of 338 farmers across four EU countries revealed significant interest in a system that would streamline sprayer filling, enhance safety, and minimize spillage. To meet these needs, the easyconnect AccuRite CTS coupler was developed.

easyconnect is part of a CTS designed to improve operator safety while being compatible with a wide range of products on the market. It minimizes risks such as eye irritation and skin sensitivity and provides a standardized connection between pesticide containers and CTS couplers for the crop protection industry.

Additionally, this system offers potential tax benefits and incentives and aligns with new regulatory requirements being introduced in various EU countries. The Netherlands is leading the way on CTS regulations, with Belgium, Denmark, and the Czech Republic expected to follow within the next two years. Other EU countries, including Germany, France, and the UK, are projected to adopt similar regulations by 2030.

In the absence of national regulations, international standards from ISO are already in place to regulate maximum residue levels in containers and coupling devices, as well as dosing accuracy, transfer speed, and leak prevention.

While several transfer systems meet these standards, the easyconnect Cap & Coupler system stands out by reducing exposure by 90%. Already adopted by many crop protection companies, this system includes a pre-fitted, three-part cap that connects to a coupler, allowing for easy and safe pesticide transfer to the sprayer. When connected, the inner cap is retracted into the coupler, ensuring that contents are safely drained without external exposure.

Easyconnect pilots have already launched across multiple European countries, with ongoing improvements based on pilot feedback. The system is expected to be finalized by 2025, aligning with the new regulations set to take effect.

Why a CTS coupler is Essential for Safe Crop Spraying 

Only 2.5% of the earth’s water is available for drinking, and contamination from pesticides can jeopardize these precious resources. Just 1 gram of pesticide can contaminate 10,000 cubic meters of water, exceeding the 0.1 microgram per liter limit for safe drinking water.

Much of the contamination today arises not from pesticides sprayed on crops but from the spraying process itself, often due to faulty seals or spills when filling or rinsing containers. While countries like Denmark provide tax incentives to encourage safe practices, the most effective solution has proven to be the use of a CTS, which significantly reduces contamination and improves operator safety.

The AccuRite System 

Tefen’s AccuRite system is a coupler that pairs with the easyconnect cap, enabling the safe transfer of pesticides into crop sprayers. Once the easyconnect cap is inserted, the AccuRite system seals the pesticide container. Its intuitive interface allows the operator to choose between a full or partial drain, securely transferring pesticides to the sprayer. Additionally, the AccuRite system rinses the container, eliminating exposure even after removal.

Together, AccuRite and easyconnect make crop spraying faster, simpler, and safer, protecting against spills, water contamination, and operator exposure.

Interested in learning more about AccuRite and the benefits of a CTS? Watch our webinar with experts Dr. Tirso Garcia de Oteyza Feldermann, Sustainable and Responsible Business Manager EAME at Syngenta, Niels Jacob Jakobsen, Strategic Agronomy Manager of ADAMA Northern Europe, and Tefen’s VP of Business Development and AccuRite Division Director, Chaim Schwartz, to get the full scoop: webinar link.