Acquisition Aims to Boost Data-Driven Decision Making for Farmers Through Drone Imagery and Integrated Platforms
John Deere has announced the acquisition of Sentera, a Minnesota-based provider of remote imagery solutions for agriculture. The move is set to enhance John Deere’s precision agriculture tools by integrating high-resolution drone imagery into its existing digital platform, the John Deere Operations Center™.
Improving Farm Decision-Making Through Data
Sentera’s drone-based technology allows for fast, detailed field imaging. The company’s FieldAgent software turns this data into insights that farmers and agronomists can use to assess plant health, spot weeds, and apply resources efficiently. One key product, SMARTSCRIPT™ Weeds, uses aerial weed detection to create targeted herbicide prescriptions that minimize product waste.
“Combining Sentera’s imagery capabilities with the John Deere Operations Center™ will enable farmers and trusted advisors to seamlessly gather and integrate agronomic data, understand real-time conditions, and turn data into insights that drive decisions in the field throughout the growing season,” said Chris Winkler, Director of Digital Software and Solutions at John Deere.
A Complement to Existing Precision Tools
John Deere plans to incorporate Sentera’s technology into its range of precision agriculture tools, including its See & Spray™ system. Sentera’s tools are compatible with most major drone platforms and help users identify issues such as uneven crop stands, disease, or pest pressure early in the season.
“As a customer of John Deere and Sentera today, the value of this integration is clear,” said Nick Einck, Director of Agronomy at Chandler Coop in Minnesota. “Sentera’s scouting solutions allow us to quickly gather data across more acres and with greater detail, enabling us to customize our approach to each field. Coupled with the John Deere technologies we already leverage today, we can be more efficient and deliver even better outcomes for our customers.”
Continued Flexibility and Choice for Users
Despite the acquisition, Sentera will continue to sell cameras directly to drone manufacturers and end users. The John Deere Operations Center will also remain open to data from other drone imagery providers, maintaining flexibility for customers.
“John Deere provides us a great outcome and is exactly the right home for Sentera,” said Brian Wenngatz, CEO of Sentera. “They are the industry benchmark for innovation in precision agriculture and they share our belief that the future of access to these technologies is built on trusted relationships, measurable insights, and scalable platforms. Together, we’ll be able to support more farmers and help them unlock even more value.”
The acquisition reflects John Deere’s ongoing commitment to meeting farmers at every stage of their digital transformation journey, while expanding access to scalable, effective tools that improve yield and efficiency.
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Miriam McNabb is the Editor-in-Chief of DRONELIFE and CEO of JobForDrones, a professional drone services marketplace, and a fascinated observer of the emerging drone industry and the regulatory environment for drones. Miriam has penned over 3,000 articles focused on the commercial drone space and is an international speaker and recognized figure in the industry. Miriam has a degree from the University of Chicago and over 20 years of experience in high tech sales and marketing for new technologies.
For drone industry consulting or writing, Email Miriam.
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