What should be measured to determine the pounds per acre applied when calibrating a spreader?

To determine the pounds per acre applied when calibrating a spreader, measuring the swath width and the distance traveled is essential. The swath width represents the width of the area that the spreader covers in one pass, while the distance traveled signifies how far the sprayer has moved. By knowing these two measurements, you can calculate the total area covered.

Once the area is established, you can then assess how much product was applied across that area. This combination enables accurate determination of the application rate in pounds per acre, which is crucial for ensuring effective weed control without causing harm to the environment or non-target species. It's an integral part of ensuring a spreader's efficiency and effectiveness in pesticide application.

Other measurements, such as the total width of the sprayer or the total amount of herbicide used, do not provide a complete picture for calculating application rates on a per-acre basis. Thus, focusing on both the swath width and the distance traveled gives the necessary information to accurately calibrate the application rate.