John Deere Smart Apply: A Game Changer for California Winegrowers

When preparing your orchards, vineyards, or tree nurseries for protection during the growing months, you need to use the best technology available to ensure a bountiful harvest. That’s where John Deere Smart Apply technology comes in. This innovative and intelligent spray control system can be used on virtually any air-blast or over-the-row sprayer, including autonomous sprayers like GUSS, to significantly improve the precision and efficiency of crop spraying.

John Deere Smart Apply is an advanced spray control system that can be retrofitted onto almost any air-blast or over-the-row sprayer. By integrating cutting-edge LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) technology, this system detects the size, shape, and density of individual trees or vines in real time. It then automatically adjusts spray output, applying chemicals only where needed and shutting off spray when no target is detected. This precision approach not only improves application accuracy but also dramatically reduces waste.

The core of Smart Apply’s innovation lies in its ability to “see” the crop using LiDAR sensors. As the sprayer moves through the field, the system continuously scans the plants, measuring canopy volume and density. This data enables the sprayer to change chemical application on the fly, delivering the right amount of spray to each tree or vine based on its unique characteristics. When gaps between plants are detected, the sprayer automatically stops spraying, preventing unnecessary chemical use.

One of the biggest benefits of Smart Apply is its ability to reduce both chemical and water consumption substantially. Because the system sprays only where it’s needed, growers typically see chemical use cut by up to 50%. This reduction not only lowers input costs but also minimizes the environmental risks associated with over-application, such as soil contamination and harm to beneficial insects.

Water use is similarly reduced by approximately 50%, as less spray volume is required. This is especially important in regions facing water scarcity or where irrigation costs are high, like in California. Additionally, Smart Apply helps reduce chemical runoff by up to 93% and airborne drift by up to 87%, meaning fewer chemicals escape into the surrounding environment, protecting nearby ecosystems and communities.

At Belkorp Ag, we are one of the largest and best suppliers of John Deere Smart Apply technology in the country. We were recently given the opportunity to assist in a 2024 John Deere pilot program for Sonoma County winegrowers. The program tested the impact of Smart Apply technology and helped address common issues for California winegrowers, including increased input costs, skilled labor shortages, and the need for actionable data.

Using Smart Apply tech during the program, farmers were able to reduce their chemical and water usage by nearly 28%. Additionally, they were able to save nearly 38,000 gallons of crop protection and water usage on 2.7K acres. This ultimately resulted in significant savings in crop application, water usage, and financial costs as well.

Growers using Smart Apply can track spray events, monitor chemical savings, and analyze canopy health because the system automatically captures data. This data can be integrated with John Deere Operations Center to improve decision-making, ensure regulatory compliance, and enhance overall farm productivity. Not only does Smart Apply save resources, but it also gives farmers actionable data that can be used for better farm management.

A major advantage of Smart Apply is its retrofit design, which means it can be installed on most existing air-blast sprayers regardless of make or model. This flexibility makes it accessible to a wide range of growers without the need to invest in entirely new equipment. The system also functions independently of wireless networks, allowing use in remote or rural locations where connectivity may be limited. Data can be uploaded later when a connection is available.

John Deere Smart Apply represents a significant step forward in sustainable specialty crop production. Reducing chemical and water inputs, minimizing environmental impact, and providing detailed operational insights that help growers meet both economic and environmental goals. This technology supports a future where farming is more efficient, responsible, and profitable.

We have a fantastic and highly-skilled precision ag team that is ready to assist you with Smart Apply or any other precision ag technology you are interested in. Contact us today, or stop by a Belkorp Ag location in California’s Central Valley. We would love to help you find the right technology for your farming operation.