Updated spray features have been tested in WA, NSW and Victoria in a variety of crop types. Photo: John Deere

UPDATED John Deere See & Spray Select software is now available in Australia to offer variable-rate applications via AutoTrac automation and ExactApply technologies.

Announced by John Deere this month at the Commodity Classic trade show and farmer-focused conference in Denver, Colorado, the updates extend See & Spray’s ability to apply crop-protection products beyond the fallow period.

“The new variable-rate capabilities unlock the opportunity for precise application and product savings through in-season fungicide, desiccant, pre-harvest passes, and more,” John Deere Australia and New Zealand production and precision ag marketing manager Royce Bell said.

Variable rate offers efficiency gains

See & Spray Select was released in markets including Australia in 2021, and has its origins in a collaboration between John Deere and the University of Southern Queensland.

As with the original, Mr Bell said the updates have been tested and validated in Australia.

“Local farmers have been instrumental in the development of these latest updates, with testing undertaken in uniquely Australian conditions at locations in Western Australia, New South Wales and Victoria, and across multiple crop types.”

Provided a G5 or G5^Plus CommandCenter display is available, See & Spray Select allows the operator to see the percentage of green biomass each spray camera has detected across the boom, and vary the amount of product applied from each nozzle.

“Application equipment makes an average of three passes over the same paddock during a growing season, so it’s vital to maximise the effectiveness of each application.

“The new variable-rate option with See & Spray technology gives small grain farmers the versatility to leverage the chemical label limits and vary the volume applied based on the in-field biomass variations.”

This allows variations in crop growth and biomass to be treated differently in each pass, instead of the field been sprayed at a blanket rate.

“This additional See & Spray Select feature allows the farmer to apply the product at a rate relative to the crop density; this can either reduce total volume applied, or apply the same volume but with a higher-quality result, or a combination of both.”

See & Spray Select will be available from the factory on model year 2026 John Deere 400 and 600 Series sprayers with 27.4m, 30.5m and 36.6m steel booms.

Pulsing, better turning available

ExactApply variable-rate capabilities include multi-rate across the boom with AutoSelect pulsing, namely A and B pulse-width modulation nozzle-switching.

“With AutoSelect pulsing enabled, sprayer operators can now vary multiple application rates across the entire boom – up to 11 unique sections – leading to more precise product placement.

“Operators will also have increased rate range for variable-rate prescriptions and curve compensation.”

This technology is available as a software update for model year 2023-25 sprayers, and model year 2026 will come factory installed with updated software features and functionalities.

John Deere application equipment now has two new options available in AutoTrac Turn Automation (ATTA) and AutoTrac Vision 2.0.

They have been designed to help provide consistent passes across the field with each application, reduce operator stress, and prevent crop damage.

“ATTA technology is now available on John Deere and Hagie sprayers, helping ensure consistent and accurate turns at the end of each pass.

“It accurately steers the sprayer along a guidance line at the end of a paddock pass, smoothly guiding the machine into the next section of the paddock.

“This technology allows the sprayer operator to focus on managing the sprayer booms, adjusting their height and position in relation to obstacles in and around the paddock, while also controlling the machine’s speed.

“ATTA also allows the operator to plan the shape of their turns while helping reduce crop damage and reducing negative impact to overall yield.”

ATTA is compatible with John Deere 400 and 600 series self-propelled sprayers and Hagie STS12, STS16 and STS20 sprayers, model year 2022 and newer.

ATTA is included with Automation 4.0 on Gen4 displays and the G5 Advanced licence for machines that have a G5 display.

The AutoTrac Vision 2.0 uses cameras mounted on the roof and front of the machine to identify rows while driving, and steers the tyres down the centre of the rows.

“This feature is suited to contractors who spray row crops that have non-uniform passes or complex fields that require the machine to follow the rows instead of AutoTrac lines, thereby significantly minimising crop damage and enhancing yields.”

“This innovative system enables sprayers to operate at faster spraying speeds while maintaining precise control, allowing for swift operations during tight application windows.”

“As a result, operators can maximise their efficiency by concentrating less on steering and more on the essential tasks at hand.”

See & Spray Select and ExactApply will be available for older machines; depending on the model year, the upgrade paths and technology features may differ.

Source: John Deere