In recent years, the agricultural sector has witnessed remarkable technological advancements, particularly in the realm of crop spraying practices. Machine learning and advanced camera sensing technologies have propelled agriculture into a new phase of precision farming, where resources are allocated with unprecedented accuracy. CNH Industrial emerges as a pivotal player at the forefront of this transformation, driving innovation to enhance efficiency, sustainability, and cost-effectiveness across diverse crop management operations. On June 12, 2025, CNH introduced its latest AI-powered sprayer precision technology, a leap that transcends traditional agricultural spraying methods and signals a progressive shift in how farmers approach crop protection and nourishment.
One of the standout aspects of CNH’s innovation lies in its deployment of an AI system that integrates real-time crop analysis with sophisticated camera sensing, leveraging machine learning algorithms. This system excels at identifying weeds by detecting the contrast of “green on brown,” effectively distinguishing the green weeds from the soil background. This precise detection ensures that herbicides, water, and fertilizers are applied strictly where necessary, significantly reducing waste and minimizing environmental harm. Beyond mere technological novelty, the system brings practical benefits by functioning across a wide array of crops, including staples like corn and soybeans, as well as cotton and smaller grains such as wheat and canola. Such versatility indicates broad applicability, catering to the varying needs of different farming enterprises, from vast commercial operations to more specialized growers.
Beyond the underlying AI capability, CNH’s IntelliSense™ Sprayer Automation, part of the New Holland Guardian™ sprayer series, transforms the spraying process through automation and adaptability. The system’s ability to auto-adjust spray rates with high precision simplifies operator requirements and improves operational efficiency. Notably, this technology can be integrated at the factory into new equipment models, smoothing adoption for farmers eager to upgrade their machinery without retrofitting challenges. Large-scale field trials, sometimes on farms spanning as much as 40,000 acres, demonstrate tangible benefits, reporting significant boosts in efficiency and notable input cost reductions. These results underscore the technology’s efficacy not just in controlled environments but under the demanding conditions of modern agriculture, where every input and operational hour counts.
Collaboration plays a crucial role in CNH’s strategy to expand its precision spraying capabilities. The partnership with the joint venture ONE SMART SPRAY—backed by Bosch and BASF—exemplifies this approach. The ONE SMART SPRAY system employs multiple cameras along the boom to identify both green-on-brown and green-on-green targets, meaning it can detect weeds even among crops, achieving selective spraying with an impressive accuracy of about 95%. Although CNH’s in-house AI sprayers primarily focus on green-on-brown detection at present, integrating the ONE SMART SPRAY technology with CNH’s Case IH and New Holland brands allows end-users access to superior multi-camera detection capabilities. This collaboration effectively bridges gaps, offering farmers more comprehensive weed control options without waiting for CNH’s internal systems to expand their scope.
Further enhancing precision agriculture, technologies like CNH’s SenseApply and IntelliSense add dynamically variable rate spraying to the equation. These systems tailor input deployment according to specific crop types and soil conditions, automating onto-the-spot decisions that traditionally depended heavily on manual scouting or generalized application patterns. This innovation benefits farmers by reducing guesswork, improving input efficiency, and streamlining operations. Additionally, agronomic data and system diagnostics gathered by these technologies are accessible remotely through CNH’s PLM Intelligence platform. Farmers and managers can monitor their operations in real-time, analyzing data from mobile devices or office computers to make informed management adjustments, ultimately fostering smarter, data-driven agricultural practices.
The acquisition of Raven Industries by CNH further bolsters the company’s portfolio, marrying its advanced hardware capabilities with cutting-edge software expertise. Raven’s strengths in real-time machine learning and nozzle control technologies enhance CNH’s “sense and act” functionalities, enabling precise control over input application and supporting healthier crop growth. This integration exemplifies a broader industry trend where hardware and software converge to realize the full potential of precision agriculture, enabling smarter, more responsive tools that optimize resource use and boost productivity.
CNH’s vision extends toward an autonomous future with AI-driven machinery, aiming to introduce significant autonomous farming solutions by 2025. The New Holland Guardian™ sprayer series encapsulates this ambition, featuring AI-powered nozzle control and automated operation that reduce labor demands and ensure consistent application. This level of autonomy does not only simplify farming work; it also standardizes processes that were previously vulnerable to human error or variability, thereby raising the overall quality and reliability of crop treatments. Although current models chiefly support green-on-brown weed detection, CNH anticipates supplementing more complex detection needs through partnerships rather than immediate internal development, prioritizing rapid usability and integration of established precision spraying technologies.
Ultimately, CNH Industrial’s latest AI sprayer precision technology represents a critical evolution in agricultural chemical application, marking a transition from traditional boom spraying to an era defined by intelligent, data-driven practices. By harnessing machine learning and sophisticated camera sensing, the company equips farmers with tools to optimize resource deployment, reduce environmental footprint, and boost yields with a level of accuracy previously unattainable. The thoughtful mix of proprietary innovations and strategic collaborations positions CNH’s customers at the cutting edge of modern farming challenges.
As farms continue to scale and the pressure to balance cost, productivity, and sustainability mounts, technologies like CNH’s AI-enabled sprayers will become indispensable. This progress underscores a larger agricultural revolution—where AI and automation are no longer futuristic dreams but practical realities reshaping how we cultivate crops and steward the land. This evolution promises not just smarter spraying but a smarter, more sustainable approach to feeding the world.
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