GROWING THE GOODNESS
Bringing Game-Changing Innovation to Ag Industry
The rise of innovative technology in agriculture is revolutionizing the farming practices of almond growers. Blue Diamond
grower and Young Leader Gary Thompson is helping to bring growers this game-changing technology designed to make
their lives better. Recently relocating from Arizona to California, Gary works as marketing director for the world’s first and
only autonomous orchard sprayer, and is responsible for the
machine’s website, social media pages, marketing videos,
news interviews, and advertisements.
Meet GUSS, the Global Unmanned Spray System. Gary
acknowledges that GUSS came about out of necessity
and the sprayer’s roots can be traced all the way back
to 1982 when its innovative founder Dave Crinklaw
and father Bob started an agriculture spray business
called Crinklaw Farm Services. Inc., known today as
CFS LP. Beginning with just two sprayers, driven by Dave
and Bob, they averaged about 40 acres a day. After
developing the industry’s first three and four-row vineyard
sprayers, mechanical vineyard pruners, and the Tree-
See orchard sprayer, CFS LP now sprays an average of
5,000 acres a day during peak season.
“When we started experiencing a shortage of labor
necessary to drive our sprayers and had substantial
increases in labor costs, it became apparent to us that
we needed to adapt and change in order to thrive in this
difficult business environment,” explained Gary.
It wasn’t until 2014 that Dave Crinklaw decided technology
was advanced enough to begin developing the concept
of GUSS. Gary admits that the autonomous sprayer, designed to drive itself in a very safe and precise matter, went
through more than three and a half years of development and testing before it was deemed ready for action.
“The obvious benefit of GUSS is the labor efficiency,” noted Gary.
Here’s how GUSS works. The autonomous sprayer moves continuously through the orchard, stopping only to be refilled.
Vehicle speed, fan speed and application rates are set precisely into GUSS’ software and remain consistent across the
entire field. GUSS is equipped with a camera which live streams video to a control van operator.
“We are seeing big improvements in efficiency, accuracy, and safety with GUSS,” said Gary. “GUSS has less down time
The ability to run 10 machines
monitored by one person will help
solve a lot of the labor challenges
faced by growers.
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A L M O N D F A C T S
