Belkorp’s Precision Ag Team Drives Innovation and Sets the Standard for California Winegrowing

3/13/2025

Caleb Hennington

Belkorp Ag was recently honored to participate in a pilot program for John Deere-Sonoma County Winegrowers. The program involved six farmers in the Northern California area and focused on the challenges of growing wine grapes in the area's diverse climate.

Belkorp Ag’s Precision Ag Team played a pivotal role in the success of the John Deere-Sonoma County Winegrowers pilot program. As the leading precision ag support dealer in the Central Valley and North Coast, Belkorp Ag provided unmatched expertise and hands-on support to ensure the program's success.

From proper solution setup on the front end to comprehensive customer training sessions and ongoing monitoring and troubleshooting, the team ensured seamless implementation and sustained success for participating wine grape growers. This approach maximized the benefits of cutting-edge technologies like Smart Apply, modems, and JDLink and delivered long-term value through increased efficiency and reduced input costs.

Smart Apply precision ag technology optimizes crop care by using sensors and real-time data to adjust spray volume based on foliage characteristics. This targeted approach reduces chemical use, minimizes waste, and lowers costs while promoting environmental sustainability and economic efficiency.

As a result of the program and Smart Apply technology, the farmers experienced a nearly 28 percent reduction in chemical and water usage. This translates into nearly 38,000 gallons of crop protection and water savings on 2,700 acres of farmland plus a massive decrease in input costs and increased application efficiency.

We would like to extend a special thanks to Sonoma County Winegrowers and John Deere for their collaboration and trust in making this pilot program a reality for farmers. Their commitment to innovation and sustainability has provided a platform to transform wine grape farming for the future.

“Our farmers were really impressed with the efficacy of Smart Apply and how it worked for them,” said Karissa Kruse, president and CEO of Sonoma County Winegrowers, who participated in the pilot program. “Each grower immediately recognized the impact to their bottom lines due to a reduction in material application while also benefitting from the protection of the material applied.”

By combining innovation with hands-on implementation experience and best-in-industry product knowledge, Belkorp Ag continues to set itself apart as the trusted partner for growers who embrace advanced agricultural solutions.

To learn more about how Belkorp Ag supports California winegrowers, visit our website and explore our inventory of compact utility tractors, OEM equipment partners, and precision ag equipment. You can also call us at 209-205-3793 or email our sales team at [email protected].