John Deere Acquires Sentera to Boost Drone-Powered Agriculture

John Deere announced its acquisition of Sentera, a leader in drone-based remote imagery solutions based in St. Paul, Minnesota, on May 23rd, 2025, marking a significant step in advancing precision agriculture. This move integrates Sentera’s high-resolution drone technology into John Deere’s ecosystem, empowering farmers with data-driven tools to enhance crop management, efficiency, and sustainability, according to a report from Successful Farming.

Sentera’s Drone Technology Enhances Farm Operations

Sentera equips drones with advanced cameras that capture high-resolution images at high speeds, covering large fields efficiently. These drones, paired with Sentera’s FieldAgent software, process imagery to identify specific issues like weed locations, generating detailed weed maps. Farmers can use these maps to create targeted prescriptions for sprayers, minimizing herbicide waste.

The data seamlessly integrates with John Deere’s Operations Center, allowing compatible equipment to execute these prescriptions wirelessly. The system supports SmartScript Weeds, a custom herbicide prescription that enables sprayers with individual nozzle control to apply chemicals precisely where needed.

Beyond weed management, Sentera’s technology assesses crop stand uniformity, disease pressure, and pest presence. This capability provides farmers with plant-level insights, enabling them to address stressors early and optimize yields. The cameras are compatible with most drone platforms, making them accessible to farmers, agronomists, and crop scouts looking to scale their data collection.

Benefits for Farmers: Efficiency and Sustainability

The integration of Sentera’s technology with John Deere’s See & Spray systems offers farmers a powerful toolset to improve profitability. By targeting herbicide applications, farmers reduce chemical usage, cutting costs and environmental impact.

“We’re excited to add Sentera’s talented team to our organization and integrate their advanced solutions into the suite of John Deere tools that help farmers do more with less,” said Chris Winkler, director of Digital Software Solutions at John Deere.

This acquisition enhances John Deere’s ability to deliver real-time agronomic data, helping farmers make informed decisions throughout the growing season.

Industry Trends: Drones and Precision Agriculture

The acquisition reflects a broader trend in agriculture toward drone adoption for precision farming. Drones equipped with advanced imaging systems are becoming essential for large-scale operations, offering a cost-effective alternative to satellite imagery or manual scouting. The diversity of Sentera’s applications allows for a variety of methods of integration, from small scale farms to large cooperatives.

Looking Ahead: Operational and Economic Impacts

John Deere’s acquisition of Sentera positions it as a leader in drone-powered agriculture, blending cutting-edge technology with practical farm solutions. Signaling expanded opportunities, Sentera’s technology, now backed by John Deere’s global reach, could drive demand for drone services as farmers seek to adopt these tools.

As Brian Wenngatz, CEO of Sentera, stated “John Deere provides us a great outcome and is exactly the right home for Sentera.”

This partnership promises to unlock new value for farmers, leveraging data to drive smarter, more sustainable farming practices.

Photo courtesy of DJI and Sentera.