JDLink Boost for NZ farms
Connectivity is widely recognised as one of the biggest challenges facing farmers, but it is now being overcome through the power of satellite technology.
John Deere claims a joint venture between it and California-based technology company GUSS will assist horticulture producers achieve greater on-farm efficiency.
As part of the collaboration, John Deere will provide access to its global sales channels to support market growth, while GUSS will continue its horticultural industry innovation and product development.
Chris Davison, JD’s director of small tractor & HVC production systems, says the collaboration will accelerate the development and distribution of semi-autonomous orchard and vineyard spraying technology.
“As demand for high-value crops grows, we see significant opportunities to help producers be more productive while addressing the challenges such as limited access to skilled labour to operate equipment,” Davison says.
“The GUSS team has a deep understanding of high-value crop production systems, as well as strong relationships with customers and a proven track record of deploying innovative technology.”
He says both companies are committed to developing pathways to grow more food using fewer resources. By using GUSS technology, multiple machines can be remotely controlled by a single operator. This is done via the use of a combination of GPS and LiDAR (light detection and ranging) technology, vehicle sensors, and software, to move and navigate through orchards and vineyards.
John Deere Australia and New Zealand production systems manager, Stephanie Gersekowski says GUSS has found a way to apply GPS technology in challenging conditions. She says this means horticulture cropping enterprises can now utilise the same level of exciting innovation now available to broadacre operations.
“Traditionally, using GPS guidance under orchards and vineyards canopies has been challenging,” Gersekowski explains. “However, GUSS has overcome this issue by developing several additional technologies, including vehicle sensors and software to supplement GPS and guide GUSS safely and efficiently through crops.”
She adds that with operators able to control up to eight sprayers at once, GUSS equipment provides enormous productivity gains to growers by reducing pressure to find skilled operators. The technology is also said to use fewer resources and reduce costs by eliminating operator error and downtime.
Founded in 2018 and with a staff of approximately 35, GUSS will retain its employees, brand name and trademark, and continue to operate from its current location. GUSS technology is not currently sold through John Deere dealers in Australia and New Zealand.
Alliance has announced a series of capital raise roadshow event, starting on 29 September in Tuatapere, Southland.
State farmer Pāmu (Landcorp) has announced a new equity partnership in an effort to support pathways to farm ownership for livestock farm operators.
Following a recent overweight incursion that saw a Mid-Canterbury contractor cop a $12,150 fine, the rural contracting industry is calling time on what they consider to be outdated and unworkable regulations regarding weight and dimensions that they say are impeding their businesses.
Trade Minister Todd McClay says his officials plan to meet their US counterparts every month from now on to better understand how the 15% tariff issue there will play out, and try and get some certainty there for our exporters about the future.
Brett Wotton, an Eastern Bay of Plenty kiwifruit grower and harvest contractor, has won the 2025 Kiwifruit Innovation Award for his work to support lifting fruit quality across the industry.
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