AI-powered weed-killing robots threaten a $60b market

AI-powered weed-killing robots threaten a $60b market
A John Deere sprayer at work, applying herbicide only on weeds identified by cameras and leading to savings of up to 77% for growers. (Image: Deere & Co)
Bloomberg
By Michael HirtzerFarmers shelling out US$37 billion (NZ$59.5b) a year to drench fields in liquid weed killers are increasingly trying out a new model: use tech to use less.After almost a century of deploying a more-is-more approach to chemical herbicides, the global agricultural sector is rapidly rolling out advancements that promise to curb the use of weed-control sprays by as much as 90%. Using artificial intelligence-powered cameras, the new sprayers can identify and target invasive plants while avoiding cash crops. If even a frac...

More Primary Sector

APHANZ want action on rural product approval backlog
Primary Sector

APHANZ want action on rural product approval backlog

A Cabinet paper from the Government's review is due to be drawn up in February.

Riley Kennedy 19 Dec 2024
Alliance Group pauses farmer-shareholder capital raise
Primary Sector

Alliance Group pauses farmer-shareholder capital raise

An external capital raising remains an option. 

Rebecca Howard 18 Dec 2024
Global dairy prices slip into Christmas
Primary Sector

Global dairy prices slip into Christmas

There was 4.5% less volume compared to the last auction.

Riley Kennedy 18 Dec 2024