How Growers are Achieving 85% Herbicide Savings with See & Spray

In the world of precision ag, we hear a lot of "big numbers," but it’s a whole different story when you hear them directly from the folks in the cab. We recently sat down for a powerhouse panel discussion featuring Mike Wemhoff, Hayden Fox, and growers Stetson Shreve and Alex Rock, alongside John Deere’s Wyatt Schrag.

The consensus? The "green-on-brown" and "green-on-green" revolution isn't just coming—it’s already in the field, and it’s saving a literal fortune in chemical costs. At 21st Century Equipment, we’ve been the "expert guide" for these transitions, and seeing our local producers succeed is what keeps our "Backyard" team motivated.

How Does Precision Technology Help Our Local Farmers Reduce Input Costs?

Our long-standing history as a dealer has taught us that every drop of chemical saved is money that stays in your operation's pocket. The panel dived deep into how See & Spray™ technology uses advanced cameras and machine learning to distinguish weeds from crops or bare soil.

The results shared by Stetson and Alex were eye-opening:

• Up to 85% Herbicide Savings: Growers are seeing massive reductions in chemical spend by only spraying the weed, not the dirt.
• Weed Pressure Mapping: Using Operations Center data to see exactly where the trouble spots are, which shapes better purchasing decisions for the following year.
• 80-85% Savings in Corn: Specific success stories highlighted how this tech performs even in high-stakes row crop environments.

Why Should You Consider Retrofitting Instead of Buying New Iron?

One of the best parts of our job is showing you that you don't always need a brand-new machine to get brand-new results. The panel spent a lot of time discussing Precision Upgrade Kits (PUKs)—the ultimate "shortcut" to modern farming.

Our technicians, who have spent thousands of hours installing these kits, can help you unlock automation and accuracy on your current sprayer, planter, or combine. This "Customer-First" approach means we focus on what gives you the fastest ROI, helping you modernize your fleet one kit at a time.

What’s Coming Next for Model Year 2027?

While we are seeing incredible results today, John Deere representative Wyatt Schrag gave us a "sneak peek" at what’s over the horizon. The focus for Model Year 2027 continues to be on scalability and making this technology even more accessible for different field types and sizes.

Being open-minded to these upgrades could pay off faster than you think. Our team is already training on these future innovations to ensure that when they hit the dirt, we have the hands-on knowledge to support you.

Common Questions About See & Spray and Upgrade Kits

Can I really save 85% on my herbicide bill? While every field is different, growers on our panel like Stetson Shreve consistently reported savings in the 80–85% range. This is achieved by utilizing "See & Spray™ Premium" or "Select" to target individual weeds rather than the traditional "blanket" broadcast method.

Is my current John Deere sprayer eligible for a See & Spray™ retrofit? In many cases, yes! We specialize in retrofitting late-model sprayers with the cameras and processors needed to unlock this tech. Our Precision Ag team can perform a compatibility check on your specific VIN to see if a PUK is the right move for you.

How does See & Spray™ help with herbicide resistance? By reducing the total volume of chemical applied, you can often afford more effective, higher-tier chemistries that you might have skipped during a broadcast application. This helps hit those "tough-to-kill" weeds with the right dose at the right time.

What kind of support does 21st Century Equipment provide after the install? We don't just "bolt it on and leave." Our team provides full Operations Center integration and field-start support to make sure your weed pressure maps are flowing correctly and your hit rate is optimized for maximum savings.

Ready to stop spraying your profits onto bare dirt? Swing by the shop or contact our Precision Ag team to see the panel's full insights and start your own path to 85% savings.