Closed transfer systems (CTS) help to protect sprayer operators by minimising the risk of exposure to pesticides during the sprayer filling process, vastly reducing the chance of environmental contamination as well as improving on-farm safety and increasing operational output. At a time when on-farm safety, product stewardship and efficient operations are more important than ever, CTS are proving to be valuable additions on farm.

And, while CTS packaging and dispensing equipment is not new for crop protection products, the use is increasing for other materials like biostimulants and nutrients.

Such products are typically supplied in 5-20L cans, however, a growing number are being offered in IBCs; including new, smaller 300L containers. This development reduces manual handling, protecting operators from muscular stresses and strains which can often require time off work to recuperate.

How does a CTS work?

The established industry standard is to dispense products from larger containers using a CTS that connects and disconnects quickly and cleanly to a pre-installed universal-sized valve in the container.

The technology is based on the Micro-Matic container valve (very similar to that of beer kegs), which comes pre-installed into the top of approved containers so the operator never has to come in contact with the product. The valve is stainless steel or a composite material for repeated use, reducing the amount of single-use plastic per litre of product delivered on farm.

The Wisdom CTS technology ensures products are fully contained while being dispensed and diluted inside the sprayer – crucial when we consider that concentrate losses have the greatest potential to cause surface water contamination.

By fitting a three-way valve to the induction bowl outlet, the CTS is attached to the sprayer, ideally using a quick release non-drip dry break coupler. Rather than being a ‘pump’, the CTS uses the vacuum of the sprayer’s venturi to pull the liquid out of the container.

Any sprayer can be adapted to use a CTS. Combined with the reduction in handling and packaging and ability to pull product at 35l/minute, this can mean an extra load applied per day – particularly useful for farm contractors and the need to adapt to changing weather patterns.

With more operators noting the benefits, it’s not surprising that the demand for more compatible products is increasing. At Frontier, we’re working closely with manufacturers to bring more of these products to market and it’s great to see the list expanding.

Products available with our CTS

New for 2026 season – Privest and Rise Up 750 (chlormequat) in 300L CTS IBCs exclusively from Frontier

The addition of these products is fantastic news for growers.

Privest is an important fungicide in the armory against late blight and being able to supply the product in larger containers to support safer handling and more efficient operations is a great development for the industry this season.

Likewise, the addition of Rise Up 750 is a really positive development for cereal growers. This plant growth regular is an important input that helps to enhance yield and crop quality, with the move to a new CTS pack size making product handling much safer.

If you would like to know more about these new additions, please get in touch.

Other products available in CTS IBCs include:

Supporting sprayer operators

The sprayer operator is an extremely important role on the farm, as application and optimum product efficacy can be determined by how it is applied - for example, depending on forward speed, boom height and nozzles to name a few factors.

The Wisdom CTS has been designed to help operators and growers overcome some of the daily challenges associated with product handling and sprayer filling, but what do the practical benefits really look like?

1. Improved farm safety

Everyone has a right to return home from work. At Frontier, health and safety is our number one priority, so protecting and supporting those who play a critical role in our supply chains will always be paramount. The CTS is key to this, not only helping to protect sprayer operators by reducing manual handling and the potential for point-source contamination, but the increase in compatible CTS containers across a range of sizes is also a positive move for our own colleagues who load delivery vehicles on site and help growers to offload product into their own crop protection stores.

2. Increased farm productivity

Today, there’s mounting pressure to deliver more from less.

In many cases, farms are increasing in area by taking on extra parcels of land, but often the sprayer operator resource remains the same. This means workloads increase and with the number of ‘ideal’ spray days limited, especially as we consider the changing weather, it can be a difficult ask.

There are also the initial costs of running a sprayer, which makes optimising it even more important. With a CTS speeding up fill time and removing the need to triple rinse and dispose of multiple small containers, more time is spent spraying; therefore, reducing the production cost per hectare.

Crop protection products are heavily regulated too and we have lost many active ingredients and therefore products over the years. The CTS is supporting conversations around the more protected use of certain products, such as extending the authorisations of any ‘at risk’ active substances given the improved control the technology provides. This could bring some products to market that may have otherwise not been registered.

3. Reduced environmental impact

To better understand the challenges and propose suitable guidelines around product and land stewardship, there has been ongoing work to try and quantify the pesticide losses from spray handling areas. In this report from the Crop Protection Association and Voluntary Initiative, it was established that as much as 40% of the pesticide load in some raw water supplies could be attributed to drips and spills due to ‘poor practices in the handling area.’

To help mitigate and reduce the risk of point-source contamination, growers are being encouraged to focus attention to detail on all aspects of sprayer filling. Grants are often available via industry partners to help support focus and change.

Funding support

It is pleasing to see more grants and funding schemes becoming available for those looking to adopt new innovations such as a CTS, with policy makers and utility companies recognising the benefits on farm and to their own operations and environments as a result.

Although closed at the moment, for the last two years Defra’s Farming Equipment and Technology Fund (FETF) has been a great source of funding support – for CTS as well as several other tools, equipment and machinery.

Water companies are also recognising that CTS is a very cost-effective solution and important piece of equipment to help reduce point source contamination. The below schemes are currently open:

• Severn Trent’s Environmental Protection Scheme (STEPS) – open to applications up until 30th January. Now in its sixth year, the scheme is part of the Severn Trent ‘Farming for Water’ catchment management programme, designed to support farms in its catchment areas to protect the local environment, water courses, river health and improve overall farm infrastructure. The scheme offers funding for a number of actions, including CTS equipment and fittings.

  Applications for the scheme can be made here, with more guidance on the scheme options and catchment area available on the Severn Trent website.

• Anglian Water 2026 CTS Grant – Anglian Water is providing 50% towards the cost (ex. VAT) of a CTS up to a maximum claim of £2,500. The scheme is compatible with other grants such as the FETF and is open to all growers within the Anglian Water supply area. It is a limited offer though, so applicants should act fast to avoid missing out!

  Grant applications can be made via this form from Anglian Water.

Feedback and what’s to come

In the last few years we’ve seen a large number of farms adopt the FasTran 850 (a CTS for pack sizes 20 litre and larger) and many have stated they now prefer plant protection products (PPPs) and plant nutrient products in larger packs as a result. Operators that used the FasTran system are also requesting more products in large packs after experiencing a reduction in overall packaging, a safer way of loading the sprayer and an increase in hectares covered each day - typically one or two extra loads.

At Frontier, our portfolio of products in CTS IBCs range from the new size of 300 litres up to 1000 litres, and we’re continually working with suppliers to bring more products to UK growers in this format. We’re also exploring options for 30 and 50 litre containers, which will widen the opportunity for more products on farm.​

LISTEN: Environmental Farmers Group Podcast: ‘Reducing point source contamination’

Earlier this year I sat down with Joe Stanley, head of sustainable farming at the Allerton Project, to talk all things CTS on the Environmental Farmers Group Podcast. It was great to talk about innovations designed to improve on-farm operations and you can listen to all we had to say here.

To learn more about CTS, speak to your Frontier advisor or get in touch by emailing info@frontierag.co.uk or calling 0800 227 445.