One of the most common questions our Precision Ag Specialists hear is whether John Deere See & Spray™ Select is only valuable during summer fallow spraying. To find out, Emmetts worked with a customer to put the technology to the test during lentil desiccation and the results may surprise you. 

When most growers think about John Deere See & Spray Select, they think of summer fallow. Targeting individual weeds in bare paddocks makes obvious sense. But what about later in the season when spraying appears to require blanket coverage? 

That's exactly the question the Emmetts Precision Ag team wanted to answer. 

Working alongside a customer during lentil desiccation, we conducted a real-world demonstration to see whether See & Spray Select could still reduce chemical use while maintaining the desired agronomic outcome.

The Challenge 

Lentil desiccation is often viewed as a full-paddock application where every hectare requires spraying. 

However, in many situations the objective extends beyond crop dry-down to controlling larger weeds that can affect harvest efficiency and contribute to future weed pressure. 

The question was simple: Could See & Spray Select identify and treat only those areas requiring application while reducing unnecessary spraying elsewhere?

The Demonstration 

The trial was conducted across six paddocks covering a total of 351.1 hectares using a John Deere sprayer equipped with See & Spray Select. 

The machine was configured to target larger weeds using:

• See & Spray™ Select 
• Boom sensitivity Level 1 
• Application rate of 100 L/ha 

The paddocks represented a range of real-world conditions, including varying soil types, weed pressure, and crop maturity, providing an excellent test of the technology. 

The Results 

Across the six paddocks, See & Spray Select reduced spraying over 62.7 hectares where weeds were not detected. 

The demonstration delivered: 

• 18% reduction in chemical use 
• 75 litres of Diquat saved 
• 63 litres of Paraquat 250 saved 
• Total chemical saving of approximately $783 
• Approximately 6,270 litres of spray mix not applied—the equivalent of around one full spray tank 

On their own, these savings may not seem dramatic. But that's precisely what makes the result significant. 

This was a single application across a moderate-sized program in a situation where many assume there is little opportunity to reduce chemical use. 

Yet See & Spray Select still reduced product use by almost one-fifth without compromising the agronomic objective. 

Why It Matters 

Input costs continue to place pressure on farm profitability, and every unnecessary litre applied represents additional cost. 

When savings like these are multiplied across multiple paddocks, several applications, or an entire spraying season, the value can increase substantially. 

Just as importantly, the demonstration showed that See & Spray Select can provide value beyond traditional summer fallow applications. 

It has the potential to help growers: 

• Reduce chemical use during selected in-crop applications 
• Target weeds more precisely in mixed scenarios 
• Improve application efficiency 
• Reduce spray mix usage and refill frequency 
• Make better use of every tank during busy spraying periods 

Technology Is Only Part of the Solution 

Getting the best results from precision spraying isn't simply about owning the technology. Success depends on selecting the right application, configuring the machine correctly, understanding the agronomic objective, and knowing how to interpret the data afterwards. 

That's where the Emmetts Precision Ag team adds value. 

Our specialists work with customers to set up, calibrate, and optimise John Deere technologies, while providing ongoing support through John Deere Operations Center™, machine connectivity, operator training, and in-paddock demonstrations. 

By combining advanced technology with practical local knowledge, we help customers make confident decisions and maximise the return on their Precision Ag investment. 

Could See & Spray Work on Your Operation? 

Every property is different, and so is every spraying program. If you're interested in reducing input costs, improving spraying efficiency, or understanding where See & Spray technology could deliver value on your operation, talk to your local Emmetts Precision Ag Specialist. 

We're here to help you turn precision agriculture technology into practical results in the paddock.