Terry, Mont., no-tiller Todd Tibbetts manages weeds with high-capacity equipment on more than 4,000 acres on two farms separated by 70 miles.

Tibbetts relies on an Ag Shield pull-type sprayer with a 120-foot boom and hoods that allow him to spray in high winds. He uses a semitrailer with 6,500 gallons of water, four 250-gallon totes for herbicides and a Batch Boy transfer system.

“It takes about 30 minutes to fill and mix and about 75 minutes to spray out a load,” Tibbetts says.

The sprayer with the 120-foot boom cuts fuel costs by 50% compared to the previous sprayer with a 60-foot boom, he says. Tibbetts gained even more efficiency by using RTK GPS and auto-steer to spray and plant.

“Last fall, we planted 1,503 acres of winter wheat,” Tibbetts says. “The drill said we planted 1,510 acres. There’s always a little overlap, but this system increases efficiency and is easier on the operator.”

On page 9, Tibbetts describes how no-tilling makes it possible to manage two far-flung farms.