October 2, 2024

By Gerelyn Terzo, Global AgInvesting Media

FarmWise, a U.S.-based smart-farming company behind an AI-driven weeding solution, has partnered with RDO Equipment, a dealer of intelligently connected ag equipment from brands like John Deere. The collaboration is designed to expand FarmWise’s precision weeding and cultivation footprint to vegetable farmers throughout the Southwestern U.S. FarmWise’s flagship product is called Vulcan, a precision weeding implement to help growers achieve their productivity and profitability goals. As an example, Vulcan can run in 6-line romaine at 2 MPH on an 80-inch bed configuration, as depicted below.

While FarmWise is keeping any fundraising plans close to the vest, CEO Tjarko Leifer said the company has raised significant venture capital to support its growth and innovation effort since its founding in 2016. In 2022, FarmWise reportedly raised $45 million in a Series B round spearheaded by Fall Line Capital and Middleland Capital, bringing its fundraising tally to $65 million at the time.

Andrew Selck, a parter at global consultancy Kearney specializing in ag and food, commented on the new collaboration, stating on LinkedIn, “Providing farmers with more tools to handle difficult weed pressure is an extremely exciting evolution in weed management. Technologies like precision spraying, drones, lasers, and mechanical options are emerging and revolutionizing the field. RDO Equipment has always been at the forefront of helping farmers adopt new technology. It’s thrilling to see their partnership with FarmWise, driving progress and innovation in agriculture. At Kearney, we are deeply interested in how these new technologies will be commercialized and how the weed management value pool will shift.”

On that note, FarmWise CEO Tjarko Leifer spent some time with GAI News to share more about the company’s commercial agreement with RDO and future growth plans.

1.) GAI News: Can you share more details on the structure of the partnership with RDO Equipment?

Leifer: “We’re thrilled about our partnership with RDO Equipment. This collaboration is indeed a significant step in expanding our footprint in the Southwestern U.S. By leveraging RDO’s extensive dealer network and customer relationships, we aim to bring our precision weeding technology to more farmers in California, Arizona and other key agricultural regions in the Southwest. This partnership allows us to reach growers more effectively and support them with our sustainable farming solutions.

“While we can’t disclose specific details about the partnership’s structure, I can share that it’s a commercial agreement that combines FarmWise’s cutting-edge precision weeding technology with RDO’s expertise in equipment distribution and customer support. This alliance enables us to provide farmers with enhanced service and accessibility to our solutions. The partnership is built on mutual goals to revolutionize precision weeding in specialty crops.”

2.) GAI News: What does RDO bring to the table for FarmWise?

Leifer: “RDO Equipment brings a wealth of expertise in equipment distribution, service and support, which is invaluable for scaling our operations. While the partnership primarily focuses on combining our precision weeding technology with RDO’s extensive network, their experience with advanced ag equipment and technologies will undoubtedly contribute to the continuous improvement and optimization of our solutions. Together, we’re better positioned to meet the evolving needs of modern farmers.”

3.) GAI News: Have you added any new customers since the partnership was formed?

Leifer: “We’ve seen a significant increase in interest since starting to work with RDO. While we do not disclose specific customer information, we can share that several prominent farming organizations have integrated Vulcan into their operations in partnership with RDO. This expansion reflects the growing trust and demand for precision weeding solutions in the industry.”

4.) GAI News: Can you explain chemical-free weed removal, as well as the role of AI?

Leifer: “Certainly. Vulcan offers a mechanical, chemical-free approach to weed control by using advanced AI and robotics to identify and remove weeds in real-time. This eliminates the need for chemical herbicides, addressing concerns like herbicide resistance and regulatory restrictions. Growers using Vulcan have reported weed removal effectiveness rates comparable to traditional hand-weeding and chemical methods.

“AI is at the heart of our technology. Vulcan utilizes sophisticated AI algorithms to distinguish between crops and weeds in our computer vision system as it moves through the fields. This real-time identification allows for precise weed removal without damaging the crops. For farmers, this means reduced reliance on manual labor and chemical herbicides, lower operational costs and improved crop health and yield. The AI-driven precision enhances overall farming efficiency and sustainability.”

5.) GAI News: What type of crops is Vulcan designed for?

Leifer: “FarmWise’s computer vision AI algorithms are capable of being trained to detect all manner of crops and weeds. Currently, Vulcan is being used commercially on a wide range of specialty row crops, including many types of leafy greens, as well as broccoli, cauliflower and other similar crops. We are continually expanding the list of compatible crops. Our goal is to make Vulcan adaptable to as many crop types as possible to serve a broader segment of the ag industry.”

6.) GAI News: How does your tech-powered approach compare to the biotech inputs on the market?

Leifer: “Our Vulcan precision weeder offers a mechanical, chemical-free approach to weed control, which sets it apart from biological inputs. Vulcan physically removes weeds using AI-guided mechanical actuation. This eliminates the need for any chemical application, reducing potential environmental impact and avoiding issues like chemical resistance. Vulcan can either replace chemical and biological weed control methods or work alongside them, depending on the grower’s management strategy.”

7.) GAI News: Can you share what is in the pipeline at FarmWise for the remainder of 2024/early 2025? Are there any updates planned for Vulcan?

Leifer: “Vulcan is indeed our flagship precision weeding implement. We’re continuously working on software enhancements to improve its capabilities. Upcoming updates will focus on expanding the range of crops Vulcan can service and increasing its operational efficiency. Our goal is to provide farmers with the most effective and user-friendly tools possible.

“Looking ahead to the remainder of 2024 and into early 2025, FarmWise is focused on scaling the deployment of our Vulcan precision weeder to more growers. Our partnership with RDO Equipment will play a significant role in accelerating these efforts, allowing us to bring sustainable, efficient weed control solutions to a broader segment of the agricultural industry.”

GAI News would like to congratulate FarmWise and RDO Equipment on their new partnership, as well as thank Tjarko Leifer for his time and contribution.

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