RDO team members partnered with John Deere and SurePoint to train farmers on precision agriculture solutions as they face uncertainty in the coming application and tillage passes. 

“Farmers often have just a day or two to complete a particular task like tilling or nutrient applications,” said Maria Goretty, an experienced precision agriculture product specialist working with farmers in the Southwest. 

Late last year, precision agriculture experts gathered with manufacturers and farmers during the University of Arizona’s Yuma Agriculture Center (YAC) annual Desert Difference Conference. Attendees experienced firsthand how RDO team members partner to advance agriculture through solutions like autonomous tillage and the SurePoint Liquid Application System. The sessions gave farmers a practical, in-field look at technologies designed to improve consistency, reduce waste and help operations keep pace with fast‑moving, high‑value crop rotations.

Autonomous Tillage Takes Center Stage in Southwest Conditions

RDO’s live autonomous tillage demonstration allowed farmers to see how John Deere’s autonomy platform performs in the real-world conditions that define the Desert Southwest — short blocks, fast field turnover, non‑Deere implements and heavy dust.

“For years, many farmers assumed autonomy was only for big square fields in the Midwest,” said Tyler Zima, RDO’s tillage technology product manager. “But when you watch it run cleanly in 20‑ to 40‑acre blocks, it becomes clear how autonomy can fit seamlessly into vegetable rotations here in Yuma and Imperial County.”

Farmers observed key advantages:

  • Potential for one operator to oversee multiple autonomous units
  • Overnight operation windows to extend productivity
  • Reliable performance during peak labor shortages

Autonomous tillage orders opened to more states last year, now including 47 states, excluding only Hawaii, Alaska and California.

SurePoint Liquid Application System Demo Shows Input Precision in Action

RDO also anchored the event with hands‑on demonstrations of the SurePoint Liquid Application System, a fertilizer placement solution designed to help farmers apply nutrients accurately during tight turnaround windows common in leafy‑green‑to‑wheat rotations.

During the demo, RDO specialists walked farmers through:

  • How electromagnetic flow meters deliver consistent GPA at changing speeds
  • How LiquiShift, dual metering tubes and Sentinel Row Control maintain uniform application
  • How operators can reduce over‑or under‑application issues tied to older injector systems
  • How real-time rate data improves safety and reduces mid‑pass troubleshooting

These sessions highlighted how SurePoint helps farmers place every gallon of fertilizer exactly where it matters most — at the knife, at the right time and at the right rate.

What Farmers Noticed in the Field

Goretty emphasized that proper setup and training directly translate into better results in the field.

“With the right training and support, operators can feel confident their system is set up correctly,” Goretty said. “During field demos, farmers immediately saw differences — more uniform beds, steady GPA at any speed and smoother, safer operation.”

Her observations matched feedback shared by farmers throughout the day: the combination of autonomy and precision liquid application technology helps create more predictable field outcomes even as rotations tighten and labor remains limited.

A Growing Partnership with the Yuma Agriculture Center

RDO Equipment Co.’s work with the YAC continues to expand through training, field trials and student engagement. These ongoing efforts ensure that innovations are tested locally and tailored for the specific needs of desert agriculture.

The Desert Difference event serves as YAC’s annual platform to connect farmers, researchers and industry leaders around the latest advancements in crop production, technology and sustainable practices.

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