INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana (March 7, 2023) – – Smart Apply®, makers of the Intelligent Spray Control System™ that helps growers of high value crops significantly reduce chemical use and costs, minimize environmental impact and capture critical data while spraying, today announced that Hutson is now an authorized Smart Apply dealer in Michigan.
Smart Apply’s dealer network now includes nearly 380 locations in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Chile, South Africa, and the United Kingdom, providing local sales and support of the Smart Apply System to growers of tree fruits and nuts, wine grapes, hops, bush berries, and nurseries. The rapid uptake by dealers is attributed to the global desire for reduced chemical use and data to support grower operations and digitally document and analyze chemical use.
Founded in 1928, the Hutson name is synonymous with innovative agricultural products and services. With a foundation built upon a strong commitment to customer service, the company has grown from a single location farming mercantile into one of the largest John Deere dealers in North America. Today, Hutson has 31 locations throughout the heartland of the United States, including Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, and Tennessee. The company prides itself in being able to provide the highest quality support and service to its customers.
Hutson President and CEO Josh Waggener says the decision to add the Smart Apply Intelligent Spray Control System to the company’s 18 Michigan locations was largely because of the state’s concentration of permanent crop growers who traditionally have relied on air blast sprayers to protect tree fruit crops and are looking for new options. “We are incredibly excited about this partnership that will allow us to offer our high value specialty crop producers a market-proven precision spraying system. This technology allows intentional targeting of the canopy, which results in less product needed. Less product needed equates to additional bottom-line profits, a true win-win for our producers and the environment.”
Smart Apply CEO Jerry Johnson personally welcomed Hutson to the company’s fast-growing global network of dealers. “We’re very pleased that the Smart Apply System is now represented in Michigan by Hutson. This partnership coincides with our recent release of GEN2 of the Smart Apply System featuring more robust equipment and expanded data capabilities, and the integration with the John Deere Operations Center that delivers more benefits to farmers. Hutson is the right dealer to bring Smart Apply’s System to Michigan based on their commitment to supporting customers with the latest technology-based solutions.”
The Smart Apply System is the only one of its kind in that it combines LiDAR-enabled precision spraying and automated data collection and analysis during each spray session. The system can be retrofitted to virtually any new or used air blast sprayer, which eliminates continuous spraying in favor of chemical application to individual trees or vines based on size and foliage density. This results in a reduction of chemical run off by as much as 92 percent and air borne drift by as much as 87 percent, protecting the health of people and the environment.
About Smart Apply, Inc.
Smart Apply, Inc. is a Delaware C Corp based in Indianapolis, Indiana, that created the laser-guided, density-based, precision sprayer technology in conjunction with the USDA. The Company markets the Smart Apply® Intelligent Spray Control System™ through authorized dealerships around the world. The Smart Apply System is proven to reduce chemical and water use by more than half, with less chemical run-off, less air borne drift and less labor, supporting growers’ operations, more sustainable crop production and a healthier planet. Visit our website for more information and our YouTube channel to see the Smart Apply System in action.
About Hutson, Inc.
Hutson Inc. began in 1928 as a seed and fertilizer store in Murray, Kentucky, owned and operated by Nicolas Hutson. Sixty-two years later in 1990, Hutson acquired its first John Deere dealership in Mayfield, Kentucky, followed by six more Kentucky stores in Princeton, Russellville, Morganfield, Clinton, Paducah, and Hopkinsville. In 2000, Hutson broke state lines into Clarksville, Tennessee, followed by an acquisition in 2014 into Indiana with the purchase of four stores in Poseyville, Evansville, Jasper and Newberry, making it a 12-store dealership operating in three states. In May 2021, Hutson acquired two multi-location dealerships in Michigan: Bader and Sons Co. and D&G Equipment. Hutson remains committed to growing and evolving to meet the growing needs of our customers. It is through dedicated employees and customers that Hutson has been able to diversify from a single location farming mercantile into one of the largest John Deere dealers in North America. Hutson Inc. is now comprised of over 800 team members proud to sell and service a wide range of John Deere equipment, including products specialized for agriculture, turf, light construction, commercial, and lawn and garden applications in 31 locations throughout Kentucky, Indiana, Tennessee, and Michigan. Learn more here.