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ATM News Network : John Deere has acquired Smart Apply, a spray equipment maker based in Indianapolis, Indiana. The company has developed the Smart Apply Intelligent Spray Control System™. Including an upgrade kit that can improve the accuracy and performance of any air-blast sprayer used in applications such as orchard, vineyard and tree nursery spraying. Smart Apply helps growers reduce chemical use, reduce airborne emissions, and optimize high-value crop yields and meet sustainability goals.
John Deere Company has worked with Smart Apply since 2020
Mike Bailey, director of small tractors and HVC production systems at John Deere, said, "This is a natural progression of the two companies' working relationship and a continuation of our commitment to customers and dealers who grow high-value crops. Growers have the greatest understanding of their labor, input costs and regulatory requirements. The portfolio of solutions to address challenges and achieve environmental goals is expanding further.
Smart Apply's precision spraying results in 93% less chemical runoff and up to 87% reduction in air flow. While chemical consumption is reduced by an average of 50%. Growers also reduce water use by an average of 50% due to less chemical use.
Advanced LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) technology
Advanced LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) technology detects the presence of individual trees and vines and automatically adjusts spray volume based on foliage density to optimize protection. This system stops spraying between plants and rows, adjusting without human intervention. Smart Apply's proprietary, GPS-enabled software captures a wide spectrum of data while spraying. Smart Apply's proprietary, GPS-enabled software captures a wide spectrum of data while spraying. The system documents precise data on date and time of spraying, total spray volume, chemical savings, number of trees, canopy volume, health of individual trees or vines, and acres/hectares sprayed, providing in-depth information on orchard or vineyard productivity, profitability, health and sustainability.
Best service to manufacturers
Growers can choose to share their Smart Apply data with John Deere Operation Center™ farm management software, unlocking another level of insight and expert support.
Both John Deere and Smart Apply recognize the importance of high-value crops and are committed to investing in innovation and technology that best serves growers who grow high-value crops and help solve their problems, said Jerry Johnson, president and CEO of Smart.
Smart Apply was founded in 2014 and has approximately 20 full-time employees. Smart Apply is primarily sold through John Deere dealers in the US, Australia, New Zealand,
South Africa, Canada and England. In the future, Deere plans to offer Smart Apply to its dealer network in North America and Australia, and to sell it in new markets.
