The Rumex range of spot sprayers with artificial intelligence is going to be available in the UK from Opico. There are currently two mounted models, the RXF600 and RXF900 which will be launched at Cereals 2026 next week.
The brainchild of Bavarian farmers, Michael Thier and Thomas Ulrich who needed a way to more precisely target docks since broadcast spraying for this weed is not allowed in this region of Germany. Established in 2020 by the two cousins developed the AI equipped spot sprayer – Rumex which is also the scientific genus for dock plants.
On the 9.0m model, six cameras along with a pair of spotlights are used to identify the weeds, even in poor light conditions or shadows. There are 222 individually controlled flat-fan nozzles, 40mm apart can then target the plant. Opico points out that unlike some other AI spot sprayers, there is no need for a hood or cover over the boom so you have an unobstructed view and can also operate the boom closer to the plants to reduce drift.
Tractor power requirement is just 50hp for the three-point linkage mounted machine that is pto-powered. Guide wheels help maintain the distance over the crop.
Rumex has been constantly upgrading the AI software so it can now work with a range of crops. The sprayer’s “All Green” function is designed for a range of crops such as onion, carrot, potatoes and sugar beet. It is particularly effective for targeting weeds when the volunteer plants are emerging, but the crop has yet to break through the soil. This enables precise targeting while preventing herbicide application to the crop itself, helping to optimise yields and reduce competition for vital nutrients.
“There is a big market for these sprayers in the UK, especially for onion and carrot growers, but the use of AI technology means there is endless potential for other crops,” explains Tom Brookes, product specialist for Rumex at Opico. “The spot sprayer offers clear advantage for growers in terms of cost savings, earlier crop harvests and improved crop quality. With the cost of chemicals only going one way we anticipate the market to grow for other crop types. As the AI algorithm is continuously refined for wider use, the Rumex sprayer is a future-proof investment that will become increasingly applicable to more crops and weed species”
Spot spraying offers two major benefits compared to broadcast spraying; reduced overall chemical use and reduced “crop check” effect. Targeted herbicide application reduces the overall chemical use by up to 94%, benefiting the environment while also lowering input costs. At the same time the cash crop is not “checked” by broadcast chemical as the machine only targets the weeds. As a result, the crop doesn’t expend valuable energy detoxifying herbicides and continues growing normally without weed competition leading to increased yield an earlier harvest in many cases.
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