Spraytec proudly showcased its global presence by rewarding select clients, partners and agronomists with a trip to Argentina in early August of 2024. This opportunity, made possible by continued sales growth in 2023/24, highlighted Spraytec’s expanding footprint from region to region, and state to state. The Tour focused on consolidating industry relations, identifying product use patterns overseas, and gathering further insights to apply towards Australian cropping systems.
Key activities included solution presentations and demonstrations at Spraytec Argentina and the new Spraytec Global office, a visit to the brand-new factory, informative farm visits, independent trials assessing Spraytec solutions, and attendance at Argentina’s largest agricultural conference, the Aapresid Congress. Participants were also provided the opportunity to tour affiliated local companies, visit notable points of interest, and share a taste of Argentine culture, with authentic ‘asado’ barbeques and Malbec wine aplenty.
The trip brought together a diverse group of people from across Australia, with New South Wales, South Australia, Western Australia and Victoria all represented strongly. The dynamic group, selected from a pool that factored in purchases and brand commitment, ensured enriching discussions throughout the Tour.
Getting to know Buenos Aires
After a taxing 30+ hour journey from various parts of Australia, the group touched down in Buenos Aires, buzzing with excitement for a weekend of exploration and cultural immersion.
We kicked off our adventure with a vibrant visit to the iconic La Boca suburbs, where colourful streets and lively art scenes set the tone. Next, we embarked on a guided tour of Buenos Aires, soaking in the city’s rich history and stunning architecture. The highlight of the evening was a captivating traditional Tango dance show, leaving everyone mesmerised by the passionate performances.
Beyond the vibrant La Boca suburbs and the captivating Tango dance shows, there are several other notable attractions to explore. Plaza de Mayo, the historic heart of Buenos Aires, is surrounded by landmarks like the Casa Rosada and the Metropolitan Cathedral. All roads lead to the Obelisco de Buenos Aires, an iconic monument located at the intersection of Avenida 9 de Julio and Avenida Corrientes. Erected in 1936 to commemorate the quadricentennial of the city’s first foundation, it stands 67.5m tall and is a symbol of Buenos Aires. Recoleta Cemetery, with its elaborate mausoleums, offers a fascinating glimpse into Argentina’s history, including the final resting place of Eva Perón, whilst Puerto Madero, a modern waterfront district, offers upscale dining, shopping, and stunning views, providing a contemporary contrast to the city’s historic areas.
These experiences offered a delightful introduction to Argentina’s vibrant culture, perfectly setting the stage for our agricultural endeavours. The enjoyable weekend was not just about sightseeing; it was a crucial opportunity for the team to bond and build camaraderie, ensuring a successful and memorable trip ahead!
Spraytec HQ and factory Tours
Our next destination was Rosario, a city celebrated as the birthplace of Argentina’s flag and the hometown of Lionel Messi. Located about 300km northwest of Buenos Aires on the western bank of the Paraná River, Rosario is the largest city in the central Argentine province of Santa Fe. This bustling hub, with its significant river port, serves as a crucial centre for Argentina’s agriculture and is the main base for Spraytec Argentina.
Upon arriving at Spraytec Argentina’s head office, our group was warmly welcomed by Agustin Bianchini, Spraytec’s Head of R&D who also oversees his private research company, Okandu. Agustin delivered an informative presentation, providing a comprehensive overview of Spraytec’s product portfolio and sharing insights into their extensive trial work in Argentina. He addressed our inquiries, offering clarity on challenging questions. Eager to expand our knowledge, Agustin delved into the details of Spraytec Australia’s new seed treatment and in-crop phytostimulant products such as TopSeed®, TOPZinc Max® and CUBO®, which have demonstrated remarkable performance both domestically and internationally. He also highlighted our market-leading products, Fulltec® and Fulltec Max®.
The visit culminated with a presentation by Spraytec’s Global Director, Pablo Lafuente, and chemist Florencia Fernandez. Florencia showcased the benefits of Optimix® as both a preventive and corrective pesticidal compatibiliser in situations involving incompatible tank mixtures, such as fomesafen and k-salt glyphosate. This visit proved exceptionally valuable, deepening our understanding of Spraytec’s product offerings and bolstering our confidence in incorporating Spraytec products year-round.
Following the presentations, we toured Spraytec Argentina’s production facility. The brand-new facility, which recently opened, will increase annual production from 1.5 million litres to between 5.5 and 8 million litres—a sizable upgrade indicative of the Argentinean branch’s continued desire to sustain demand long into the future and grow its already majority additive market share. The tour provided insights into product development processes, packaging, logistics, and chemistry formulation, generating much excitement among the group about Spraytec’s vast potential in Australia.
Independent R&D exposure
Our journey was dotted with various independent R&D trial visits to ensure Tour attendees were able to see our solutions firsthand in the paddock, ground-truthing the performance of our solutions.
En route to Rosario, was a visit to the LMA Research & Crop Care trial, where we gained valuable insights into cutting-edge agricultural practices. The trial showcased various innovative techniques and products aimed at enhancing crop yield and sustainability. One of the highlights was the demonstration of TopSeed®.
TopSeed® is seed treatment partner possessing a high-power polymer coating that encompasses phytostimulant and anti-stress properties. This formulation ensures even emergence and improves early crop performance to maximises yield potential. TopSeed® provides accessible nutrients that promote plant health and resilience, making it an essential component of modern seed treatment applications. The trial allowed us to observe the effectiveness of TopSeed® in real-world conditions, highlighting its role accelerating early growth stages and assisting plant nutrition.
Additional trial visits included a field walk hosted by Carcamo Consultora Ag on the outskirts of Rosario. This field walk provided an in-depth look at various knockdown and seed treatment trials, offering valuable insights into the latest advancements in the Spraytec portfolio.
The hands-on visual product demonstrations certainly added to the field walk experience and provided an opportunity to see Fulltec Max® in action. Fulltec Max® is a premium generation product designed for flexible use all year round. It possesses a unique blend of nutrients, phosphites, and application technology that benefits spray productivity and profitability. Insights into TopSeed® were again on show, whilst experimental assessments of Ultra Mn® as a seed treatment were noteworthy for some.
An Argentine farming focus
Complementing these constructive Spraytec facility visits, the group had the chance to experience several other aspects of Argentinian agriculture.
This included various on-farm visits, where conversations with growers provided a localised overview to the region’s farming systems and management. The growers elaborated on what they grow, and how they have incorporated Spraytec products into their system – as well as the struggles of recent dry seasons experienced across Argentina. It was fascinating to hear and discuss, albeit through broken translation, the similarities and differences between Argentine and Australian growers. Who would have thought the ‘asado’ BBQ’s get better the more rural you go?
To further add to the Argentina agriculture immersion, there were complimentary visits to Industrias Metalúrgicas Cestari, SR Industria Metalúrgica S.A., Caimán – Pulverizadores, and Agricultores Federados Argentinos (AFA).
Industrias Metalúrgicas Cestari is a renowned family-owned business with over 95 years of experience in the agricultural sector. They specialise in self-unloading auger wagons, which are essential for efficient grain handling and transportation. During the visit, clients had the opportunity to see firsthand the innovative designs and robust construction of Cestari’s products, including their eco-friendly auger wagons painted with water-based, environmentally friendly paint. The tour provided valuable insights into the company’s commitment to quality and sustainability, enhancing clients’ understanding of advanced agricultural machinery.
SR Industria Metalúrgica S.A. is a leading manufacturer of fertilising equipment in Argentina. The company offers a wide range of products, including self-propelled and pneumatic spreaders, as well as direct seeding accessories. The visit to SR Industria Metalúrgica S.A. allowed clients to explore the latest advancements in fertilising technology and understand the precision and durability of SR’s equipment.
Caimán – Pulverizadores is a prominent manufacturer of self-propelled and trailed sprayers with over 25 years of experience in the industry. Their products are designed for precision application and durability, featuring advanced transmission and engine technologies. The visit to Caimán allowed clients to see the high-performance sprayers in action and understand the company’s commitment to providing competitive and reliable equipment for agricultural producers.
Agricultores Federados Argentinos (AFA) is the largest agricultural cooperative in Argentina, representing over 36,000 producers. AFA provides a wide range of services, including grain storage, transportation, and marketing, as well as industrialisation of agricultural products. The visit to AFA offered clients a comprehensive view of the cooperative’s extensive network and its role in supporting and enhancing the productivity of its members. The cooperative’s focus on innovation and value-added services was evident, showcasing its significant impact on the agricultural sector. It was motivating to see the relationship Spraytec had developed with AFA, in providing growers with the most effective spray applications season after season.
These visits not only deepened clients’ immersion in Argentinian agriculture but also showcased the cutting-edge technology and sustainable practices employed by these leading companies. The existing Spraytec partnerships, hands-on experiences, and direct interactions with industry experts fostered greater confidence and facilitated meaningful discussions, further enhancing the overall Tour experience.
The prestigious Aapresid Congress
The opportunity to attend the Aapresid Congress was certainly a highlight of the Tour. Aapresid is a grower backed non-profit organisation promoting no-till farming practices. The annual Congress provides a facility for leading Argentinian and international professionals to present their findings and ideas. It also provides the opportunity for companies to present their products to the professionals attending. Within the main trade showroom, Spraytec had an eye-catching stand amid other highly reputable chemical companies. This promoted much conversation and gave the attendees insight into the scale and credibility of Spraytec in Argentina.
The 2024 edition of the Aapresid Congress took place in Buenos Aires; a very first for the event and an attempt to connect the city to the regions. This event highlighted its status as an international benchmark for innovation, technology, and sustainable agricultural practices. The Congress featured over 100 conferences happening simultaneously in several rooms, covering four main themes: economic, productive and environmental, social, and technological. Live English translations certainly helped, as most of the group were not fluent in Spanish just yet.
Highlights from the Congress included cutting-edge discussions on sustainable farming practices, advancements in agricultural technology, and strategies for climate change mitigation. Key points of interest involved importance of seed treatments, biostimulants and their synergies with current practices, and management of resistance weeds.
Here’s to 2025 and beyond!
We offer these Tours to our clients as a token of appreciation for integrating our products into their systems. Each activity is meticulously planned to immerse clients in Argentinian agriculture and deepen their understanding of Spraytec and our products. It was fantastic to see the group bond over the 10 days, sharing ideas and experiences.
Upon return to Australia, we continue to provide comprehensive support to ensure a smooth transition and sustained success. Our ongoing support is tailored to meet the specific needs of each client, fostering greater uptake and confidence in our solutions. By facilitating client interactions and addressing any challenges promptly, we aim to build strong, lasting relationships and drive continuous improvement.
We extend our gratitude to the Spraytec Argentina branch for hosting us and look forward to returning soon.
Please follow us on our social media channels or contact your local retailer to ensure you don’t miss out on the next Tour opportunity!
—
Who toured with us?
New South Wales
- Grant Chudleigh – Grenfell Grower
- Les Coleman – Outlook Ag
- Warwick Nightingale – Delta Ag Lockhart
South Australia
- Klay Harris – Cleve Grower
- Marty Lovegrove – Cleve Rural Traders
Victoria
- Adrian King – SMS Rural
- Jack Flavel – AGRIvision Consultants
- Kerryn Hayes – NRI Australia
Western Australia
- Alec Smith – Kojonup Agricultural Supplies
- Cameron Quenby – South East Rural Traders
- David “Zim” Stead – Anasazi Agronomy
- Jon Stead – Esperance Grower
