In just a few short weeks, the Smart Apply team will be heading to Woodland, California, for the world’s premier event for agricultural autonomous solutions and robotics for growers of high-value crops such as grapes, almonds, pistachios, citrus, apples, stone fruits, walnuts, and more.
Now in its third year, FIRA USA 2024, held October 22-24, attracts industry luminaries in agriculture, ag technology, academics, influencers, and farmers to experience and explore the latest technologies designed to make farming more efficient, less labor intensive and sustainable.
This year, Smart Apply, the maker of the Smart Apply Intelligent Spray Control for high-value crops, will be at FIRA USA as a sponsor and active participant. We will be exhibiting alongside parent company John Deere and GUSS Automation, the creator of driverless sprayers. Smart Apply System is integrated into both the Orchard GUSS and the Mini GUSS, providing precision spray application as the GUSS travels through the block. See the Smart Apply System with GUSS in action here.
What makes the Smart Apply System a powerful addition to a farmer’s arsenal of tech tools – and FIRA USA – is the uniqueness of the solution. The Smart Apply System is a kit that can be added to virtually any new or used air blast, over-the-row, tower, and GUSS sprayer. Enabled by LiDAR, the system sprays only when it senses a tree or vine and then based on size and foliage density of individual plants. If nothing is sensed, the system does not spray.
The impact is significant. The system’s precision spraying reduces chemical and water use by an average of 50%, cuts chemical run off up to 92% and airborne drift up to 87%. Additionally, it automates the spraying process, which helps lower labor costs while reducing operator stress, unintentional errors like missing or double-spraying rows, and creates a digital document of each spray event. Because less chemical are used, there are fewer tank refills, another time and labor savings. Here’s a short video on the Smart Apply tech.
Smart Apply Systems can be added to new and used air blast, over-the-row, tower, and GUSS self-driving sprayers.
Commenting on Smart Apply’s participation at FIRA USA 2024, Ryan Eckhart of John Deere said, “The Smart Apply system, which is fully compatible with most blast sprayers including the GUSS autonomous sprayer, leverages robotics and automation to help our customers reduce input cost, improve operator efficiency, and provide data for enhanced decision making. FIRA USA is a wonderful opportunity to showcase Smart Apply with growers, crop associations, the media, and peers who share our aspirations for technology in agriculture.”
Throughout the three-day FIRA USA event, guests can immerse themselves in a showcase of ag automation and robotics through live in-field demonstrations, industry round tables, and exhibits by sponsors and participants. Smart Apply is exhibiting alongside John Deere and GUSS. Attendees are encourage to visit to learn more. Smart Apply will be represented by our two technical sales representatives in California, Noah Sanders and Corey Booher. Both work directly with growers as well as our authorized dealers and crop trade associations.
Smart Apply’s Noah Sanders and Corey Booher are both attending FIRA USA 2024.
The Smart Apply Intelligent Spray Control System is in use by growers of high-value crops across North American, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa, reducing chemical and water use, while making agriculture more efficient, prouctive and sustainable. Learn more here.