John Deere acquires GUSS Automation

The move builds on an existing joint venture established in 2022 and advances John Deere’s commitment to helping high-value crop growers, address challenges around labour availability, input costs, and crop protection.

“Fully integrating GUSS into the JD portfolio will help high-value crop customers with advanced, scalable technologies to do more with less,” said Julien Le Vely, director, production systems, high value & small acre crops, at John Deere. “GUSS brings a proven solution to a fast-growing segment of agriculture, with its team having a deep understanding of customer needs in orchards and vineyards.”

Founded by Dave Crinklaw in 2018, GUSS manufactures autonomous sprayers that can be remotely supervised by a single operator who can manage up to eight machines at once. Using GPS, LiDAR, and proprietary software, GUSS machines navigate vineyards and orchards with precision to help reduce operator error, labour costs and material waste. To date, more than 250 GUSS machines have been deployed globally, accounting for 2.6 million acres sprayed over 500,000 autonomous hours.

The sprayers will continue to be sold and serviced exclusively through John Deere dealers, with the business retaining its name, brand, employees and manufacturing facility in Kingsburg.

John Deere will support GUSS in expanding its global reach, including continued integration with other precision agriculture technologies, such as Smart Apply, which enables targeted spraying that offers the opportunity for up to 50% savings on chemical and water use.

The acquisition will help expand John Deere’s U.S. manufacturing footprint, with GUSS sprayers continuing to use John Deere Power Systems engines.

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