Brothers James and John Fitzgerald farm just over 1,200ac of tillage crops in north Co. Dublin and use a trailed sprayer option from Berthoud.

Their rotation comprises winter wheat, winter barley, winter oilseed rape, spring barley, rye and spring beans.

The Fitzgerald family has used Berthoud crop sprayers for many years. Throughout this period, they have fully recognised the developments in spraying technology and performance from the French manufacturer.

The Vantage now in use on the Fitzgerald farm is the third generation of Berthoud trailed sprayer that has been put through its paces within the business.

Commenting on the benefits of the machine, John Fitzgerald said: “With more technology on the newer sprayers coming along, GPS and overlapping, we get more efficiency and greater use out of the sprayer.

Meanwhile, James Fitzgerald added: "With the cost of sprays at the moment, we couldn't be wasting any. The GPS is auto on / auto off.

“We spray exactly what we need to do. There is no overlapping or anything like that. With the new conservation and eco rules, it’s important to leave appropriate distances and areas where no spray has been applied; no overlapping is very important.

“Berthoud has never let us down really at all. We're very happy with the technology."

John Fitzgerald confirmed the importance of using a sprayer that will work in all conditions. And the new Vantage model ticks all these boxes.

“It'll do it with self levelling for rough ground, any terrain at all. Works out perfectly. You just set your height, set your speed, put your parameters, sprayer does everything," he explained.

“When going across rough ground the driver doesn't feel any shock at all. The sprayer just glides along, doesn't have any big bangs coming through it.”

Murphy Machinery has long partnered with Berthoud in delivering optimal farm machinery solutions to Irish farmers.

The comprehensive Berthoud offering available from the Kilkenny-based operation is centered on three fundamental drivers: new and used machinery sales; comprehensive advice with regard to the application of Berthoud’s spraying technologies; a totally dependable parts department and accompanying repair service.

This all adds up to a winning combination.

Where trailed Berthoud sprayers are concerned, the two models which resonate with Irish farmers are the Vantage, which was mentioned above, and the Tracker.

Both have a strong track record of delivering enhanced performance within all cropping and ground condition scenarios.

The Vantage is a high-end, trailed sprayer. It has an original design that stands out from the other Berthoud trailed options by its dark colour and style.

The model has all the fundamentals of the Berthoud brand - Actiflex II axle suspension, Dualmatic operation and its motorised version - Dualelec.

Access to Isobus technology is also available, either with the Berthoud VT tronic touchscreen or directly on the virtual screen of the tractor.

The low centre of gravity and tank design keeps the compact proportions that mean good handling and stability both on the road and in the field, all of this while naturally limiting residual volumes.

The optimal Spraytronic system is made possible courtesy of solenoid valves placed on each nozzle body.

Spraytronic can vary the flow of a nozzle by 70%. It is fully aligned to the working speed of the tractor and sprayer combination. Vantage sprayers also feature the Berthoud boom range.