Equipment Roundup

In this Equipment Roundup, DTN/Progressive Farmer looks at CNH joining the precision spray package with Bosch/BASF; Guardian SC1's approval for autonomous aerial applications; John Deere's earnings report; Michelin expanding track production; and Bud Light begins Corn Can promotion.

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CNH ADDS PRECISION SPRAYING TO PORTFOLIO

CNH Industrial and One Smart Spray, a joint venture between Bosch and BASF, have signed an agreement to integrate the Bosch/BASF advanced spraying system with CNH's Case IH and New Holland Agriculture brands. Integration of the spraying system onto Case IH and New Holland sprayers will be led by CNH's Raven.

The CNH venture with Bosch/BASF, follows an earlier announcement by AGCO and its Fendt brand that it will offer the application technology with its Rogator sprayer.

Bosch/BASF says its smart spraying solution with be available in Europe and the Americas in 2024. The system automates spraying using boom-mounted cameras to selectively spray weeds in green-on-green (plant on plant) and green-on-brown (plant on soil) environments. The technology can treat weeds day or night.

CNH says precision spraying is combined with digital tools and agronomic insights that are accessible via mobile devices to provide in-depth weed maps, track input and cost savings in real time, and generate automated reports and data.

GUARDIAN TAKES TO THE AIR

Guardian Agriculture has received approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to operate its Electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft nationwide. FAA approval makes Guardian Agriculture the first commercially authorized eVTOL in the U.S.

The U.S.-built Guardian SC1 platform, with more than $100 million in customer orders, is the only autonomous, electric, aerial crop protection system designed specifically for large-scale agriculture.

The 12-foot by 12-foot SC1 weighs in at 500 pounds and carries a 20-gallon payload for time sensitive, precision applications. Lift and horizontal flight are by way of a fully electric powertrain and four, 6-foot propellers. A 16-foot boom applies spray in a 20-foot swath at a rate of 40 acres an hour with industry standard nozzles, pressure, droplet sizes, and application volumes. Guardian has developed a trailer to service SC1 with both refills and battery recharging. Guardian says tank fills and supercharging are completed in one minute.

SC1 is fully programmable, requires no manual control and has a "return-to-home" function. With its data collection capabilities, SC1 application variables are collected in real-time, including wind speed, temperature and obstructions.

Guardian Agriculture, founded in 2017, will begin commercial operations in support of its Wilbur-Ellis customer in California in the coming months as it continues to ramp up production capacity.

DEERE REPORTS $2.86 BILLION SECOND QUARTER NET INCOME

Deere & Company reported net income of $2.860 billion for the second quarter ended April 30, 2023, compared with net income of $2.098 billion for the quarter ended May 1, 2022. For the first six months of Deere's fiscal year, net income attributable to Deere & Company was $4.819 billion, or $16.18 per share, compared with $3.001 billion, or $9.72 per share, for the same period last year.

Worldwide net sales were $16.079 billion for the quarter and $27.481 billion for six months, compared with $12.034 billion and $20.565 billion same timeframes, last year.

Deere says it is benefiting from favorable market conditions and an improving operating environment. While the manufacturer continues to battle supply-chain constraints, it nevertheless continues to see improvement.

MICHELIN INVESTS $100 MILLION TO INCREASE TRACK PRODUCTION

Michelin is announcing a $100 million investment in its Junction City, Kansas, operations over the next five years to increase its capacity to produce tracks for agricultural equipment.

The investment will increase the output of Camso agricultural rubber tracks to better respond to demand for aftermarket and original equipment customers. Camso is a brand under the Michelin Group, specializing in the manufacture of off-road tires, rubber tracks and systems for material handling, construction, agriculture and powersports industries.

BUSCH LIGHT BRINGS BACK CORN CANS

Busch Light is announcing its third annual release of Busch Light Corn Cans. The limited-edition cans celebrate America's farmers, Busch says. The promotional effort also raises awareness and funds for Busch Light's long-time partner Farm Rescue, a nonprofit organization that provides aid to family farms in crisis.

For each 24-count case of Corn Cans sold during the limited run, Busch Light will donate $0.25 to Farm Rescue, up to $200,000. Busch Light has partnered with Farm Rescue since 2019 and has raised close to $1 million on behalf of the organization.

Busch Light Corn Cans are available for purchase nationwide now through July 3, 2023.

Farm Rescue was founded in 2005 and has helped nearly 1,000 families since its inception. The organization's mission is to help farmers and ranchers who have experienced a major illness, injury, or natural disaster by providing equipment and volunteers to perform time-sensitive services. Applications for assistance can be obtained at farmrescue.org or by calling 701-252-2017.

Dan Miller can be reached at dan.miller@dtn.com

Follow him on Twitter @DMillerPF

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