Raven Enters Agreement with AGCO, Others

AGCO has entered into a proof of concept (PoC) collaboration agreement with Raven Industries Inc., Robert Bosch GmbH, and BASF Digital Farming.

The objective of the agreement is to evaluate targeted spraying technology aimed at making the process of applying crop protection products more effective and efficient, hence saving farmers input costs and reducing environmental impact.

AGCO said the targeted spraying PoC will focus on real-time sensing technology to make crop protection decisions: “By detecting weeds in growing crops as well as on fallow ground, day or night, this technology will execute precise targeted product placement down to the individual plant level.”

The concept is being evaluated on a sprayer in Europe with plans to extend to North America in 2022.

“Farmers have long been searching for innovative ways to minimize chemical usage and reduce passes through the field to achieve their crop protection goals,” AGCO’s Seth Crawford said. “Combined with the potential for further regulatory pressure, we believe this collaborative spraying effort advances our farmer-first focus and is further evidence that we will work with the best-in-class partners to serve farmers’ needs.”

Raven Applied Technology is committed to sprayer efficacy and operational efficiencies that further enable precision control of chemicals for targeted spraying applications.

Bosch brings capabilities in hardware, machine learning and artificial intelligence as well as digital services to the partnership. Xarvio Digital Farming Solutions provides an automated, real-time, in-field agronomic decision-making engine for weed management.

“Raven is excited for this collaboration,” said the company’s Dominic Walkes. “The expertise of each organization will undoubtedly provide industry changing solutions for some of agriculture’s greatest challenges.”

Member since 2020 | ravinind.com | Source: RealAgriculture