John Deere Buys Automated Ag Machinery Builder GUSS

The ag machinery leader is betting that, by throwing the weight of their established brand behind this cutting-edge technology, more producers will be motivated to adopt it sooner rather than later.

John Deere has been a leader in row crop machinery for decades. Now, the company is focusing on higher-value crops, such as trees, vines, and vegetables.

To achieve this, they recently acquired GUSS, a company founded in 2017 and already recognized as one of the premier builders of automated agricultural machinery, with a focus on autonomous spray technology in particular.

Speaking to some of the motivations behind the acquisition, John Deere representative Sean Sundberg explained that the reputation and staying power of the John Deere brand is expected to lead to greater producer confidence and increased willingness to adopt such cutting-edge technology sooner rather than later:

“The high value crop grower, has a lot of hesitance to adopt it because they don’t know if that startup’s going to be there nine months from now, and it leads to saying, ‘Hey, I’m going to do what I know is going to work to protect my profits, and that may or may not be adopting technology immediately.’”

Related Stories
CLAAS Senior Vice President for the Americas Region Eric Raby joined us to preview the new docuseries “CLAAS: Made for More,” premiering tonight at 9 PM ET only on RFD-TV.
From meatpacking settlements to landmark NEPA rulings, Roger McEowen outlines the top legal developments in 2025 that will shape agriculture in the years ahead.
Corn growers are turning to ethanol, E15 expansion, and export markets to help absorb record supplies and stabilize prices. Farm leaders discuss low-carbon ethanol demand, flex-fuel vehicle challenges, input costs, and the role of USMCA as producers look for market relief in the year ahead.
Rising rural business confidence supports local ag economies, but taxes and labor shortages remain key constraints.
CoBank Knowledge Exchange’s Jeff Johnston shares the group’s positive perspective on expanding data centers into rural areas and weighs the risks and rewards for those communities.
Texas Commissioner of Agriculture Sid Miller joined us to discuss data center expansion, farmland preservation, rural economic impacts, and imminent cattle biosecurity concerns affecting agriculture today.
The Pennsylvania Farm Show continues through Saturday, wrapping up another successful year of celebrating agriculture in the Commonwealth.
Soft equipment sales signal cautious farm spending as producers prioritize cash flow over expansion.
Wind repowering offers a rare opportunity to renegotiate outdated leases and improve long-term land income for landowners who act early.

Agriculture Shows
Special 3-part series tells the story of the Claas family’s legacy, which changed agriculture forever.
From soil to harvest. Top Crop is an all-new series about four of the best farmers in the world—Dan Luepkes, of Oregan, Illinois; Cory Atley, of Cedarville, Ohio; Shelby Fite, of Jackson Center, Ohio; Russell Hedrick, of Hickory, North Carolina—reveals what it takes for them to make a profitable crop. It all starts with good soil, patience, and a strong planter setup.
Champions of Rural America is a half-hour dive into the legislative priorities for Rural America. Join us as we interview members of the Congressional Western Caucus to learn about efforts in Washington to preserve agriculture and tackles the most important topics in the ag industry on Champions of Rural America!
Featuring members of Congress, federal and state officials, ag and food leaders, farmers, and roundtable panelists for debates and discussions.