Saving on Chemical Usage with SmartGuided Systems ft. John Deere Guest
About Smart Apply:
The Smart Apply Intelligent Spray Controlled System can be retrofitted and used on nearly any existing air blasting system, allowing the grower utilize past investments in sprayers they already own. The main purpose around this system is the fact that conventional sprayers blanket the entire spray zone, whereas the Smart Apply Intelligent Sprayer can see the tree canopy with a single lens and targets it directly. When every penny counts, every tree is unique, and the use of chemicals can drastically change how much a grower spends, having a system that can identify the uniqueness of each tree and apply appropriate amounts of chemicals can heavily impact how much growers save each month. Not only does this spraying system apply chemicals precisely, it also eliminates pesticide drift to neighboring plants, reducing groundwater contamination and preserving ecosystems. Smart-Apply also helps growers maximize the health and longevity of their orchards by minimizing pesticide root damage due to overspraying.
"Smart-Apply is one of the most accurate systems in the world because it’s guided by Sick’s state-of-the-art LiDar laser technology. The LiDar laser sees and senses every inch a growers plants or tree canopy and directs up to 120,000 pulse points per second with a single lens. It SEES their plants and gives them the exact amount of chemicals they need, and not a drop more."
About the Guest:
Hear from SmartGuided CEO, Steve Booher:
An entrepreneurial leader with a track record of success, Steve Booher’s most recent company Smart Guided® Systems LLC headquartered in Indianapolis, IN develops solutions for high-value permanent crop growers worldwide. Smart Guided Systems began with an Alliance Agreement with Kubota Tractor Corporation for the industry first Android tablet based Autosteer system. In spring of 2018 Smart Guided introduced the industry first Android tablet based GPS-precision spraying add-on kit that adapts to existing boom sprayers. In the fall of 2018, Smart Guided was chosen by the USDA exclusively, to commercialize the LIDAR based Intelligent Spray Control System, which was released for sale in the Summer of 2019.
Mr. Booher earned an associate degree in design at Vincennes University and a bachelors of science degree in business from Indiana Wesleyan. He has launched and sold several ventures in his 30-year career, Productive Resources, Auburn Clutch, NetPage USA, and CAD Design Inc. He has received the prestigious Growth 100 award from the Johnson Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, part of Indiana University’s Kelly School of Business, an unprecedented 11 times for four different companies.
Mr. Booher was selected as Ernst & Young’s Northern Indiana Entrepreneur of the Year in 2000; and in 2007, 2008 and 2009, Productive Resources was recognized by Inc. Magazine as one of the “Fastest Growing Companies in America.”
Mr. Booher served on the AG Sector board of directors of AEM (Association of Equipment Manufactures) for six years; was past Chairman of its Associate Member’s Group and served on many committees. Mr. Booher also served as Chairman of the Board of non-profit Lakeview Ministries for five years, where he oversaw the fundraising and building of the new camp “Lakeview Villages” where over 2,000 kids per summer enjoy camp.
Hear from John Deere- Greg Christensen
Greg has spent 18 years with John Deere. He graduated from Iowa State University with degrees in Marketing and Finance. Originally from NW Iowa, but has relocated to various locations with John Deere including Des Moines, IA, Owensboro, KY, Olathe, KS, the states of Rio Grade do Sul and Sao Paulo in Brazil, Bettendorf, IA and currently in the process of relocating to the Ag Marketing Center in Lenexa, KS. Work experience has included roles in Sales, Marketing, Market Development, Dealer Development, Strategic Planning, Market Planning, Technology Integration, and most recently Go-To-Market Manager for 5 Series Tractors, Frontier, and High Value Crops for the U.S. and Canada.